Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 450)

This newly named owl from Príncipe Island calls like an insect
Birds

This newly named owl from Príncipe Island calls like an insect

Locals suggest that the owl could possibly be traced all the way back to 1928.

Europe’s big new Digital Markets Act could help hold tech giants accountable
Internet

Europe’s big new Digital Markets Act could help hold tech giants accountable

The DMA introduces a series of new rules that "gatekeepers in the online platform economy” will have to comply with if they want to operate in the EU.

A skyscraper-sized asteroid will zoom within 1.43 million miles of Earth tonight
Space

A skyscraper-sized asteroid will zoom within 1.43 million miles of Earth tonight

Asteroid 2022 RM4 will come within 1.43 million miles of the Earth.

Swiss train crossing bridge in Alps
Engineering

Switzerland sets world record for longest passenger train—and it’s electric

The real life 'Snowpiercer' celebrates the 175th anniversary of trains in Switzerland.

Ocean plastic ‘vacuums’ are sucking up marine life along with trash
Ocean

Ocean plastic ‘vacuums’ are sucking up marine life along with trash

A new study shows that for every 3.6 pieces of litter caught by a Seabin, one marine animal is also trapped.

Instagram is down for some users—here’s what we know so far
Social Media

Instagram is down for some users—here’s what we know so far

Another day, another case of social media chaos.

NASA sun spots image
Sun

Just in time for Halloween, the sun looks like a jack-o’-lantern

While it is fun to look at, the smiley image might spell a little trouble for Earth.

A jaybird snacks
Birds

Eurasian jays show masterful intelligence in human psychology test

An especially bright bird waited five-and-a-half minutes for the superior snack.

The epic flights of two speedy ducks reveals secrets of global bird migration
Birds

The epic flights of two speedy ducks reveals secrets of global bird migration

The two pintail hens made a voyage of 10,000 miles over 10 months.

What it’s like to fire Raytheon’s powerful anti-drone laser
Weapons

What it’s like to fire Raytheon’s powerful anti-drone laser

PopSci exclusively tested out a laser weapon in the high desert of New Mexico. Here's how it works, and what it does.

Tiny conifer plants growing out of the Sheenjek River in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Fossil Fuels

The 2022 midterm elections could shake the course of environmental action in the US

Oil and gas leases, public lands, carbon emissions, and wildfire management are all on the ballot (figuratively).

The CDC has surveyed teens on their health and behavior since the ’90s—but now some states are opting out
Mental Health

The CDC has surveyed teens on their health and behavior since the ’90s—but now some states are opting out

Recent surveys captured important intel on young people's mental health during the pandemic.

A hellbender peers out with its blue eye from a rock
Biology

Hellbender salamanders may look scary, but the real fright is extinction

These giant amphibians have more to fear from us than we do them.

A person using a stylus to cross out the Facebook logo on an iPhone screen.
Tech Hacks

How to banish toxic posts from your social feeds

The internet may be a really bad place right now. But it’s salvageable.

Unraveling the mystery of eel sex
Endangered Species

Unraveling the mystery of eel sex

To save endangered eels, researchers have been working for decades to figure out where they reproduce.

A phone with the Twitter icon on the screen, on top of a closed cardboard box that says "Handle with care."
Tech Hacks

How to download your data from Twitter and other sites

Haven't you always wanted a record of everything you've done online?

hydrogel swimming robot
Robots

Watch this penny-sized soft robot paddle with hydrogel fins

Researchers believe that this robot design can be one day repurposed for applications like biomedical devices.

Mountain lions in Los Angeles face the heat of worsening wildfires
Endangered Species

Mountain lions in Los Angeles face the heat of worsening wildfires

The city’s elusive cougars will do a lot to avoid people, including getting risky with wildfire.

European Union sets goal to block sales of gas-powered cars by 2035
Electric Vehicles

European Union sets goal to block sales of gas-powered cars by 2035

The major step will cut new vehicle emissions by 100 percent by that time.

A young girl stands outside in a winter coat, pink earmuffs, and a blue face mask pulled down over her chin as she sneezes into her hands.
COVID-19

What’s the difference between COVID, flu, and cold symptoms?

You should stay home either way.