Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 47)

A robot barista to serve coffee at Henn na Cafe, Shibuya district, Tokyo, Japan in October 2018.
Robots

What America could learn from Asia’s robot revolution

In Korea and Japan, humanoid machines aren’t rivals but partners, assisting with elder care, creating jobs for people with disabilities, and even leading religious rituals.

a VHS tape covered in dirt
Photography

Georgia man brings abandoned VHS tapes back to life

The tapes have spent over 10 years exposed to the elements.

A wide-angle photograph shows a woman sleeping on her side in a large bed, tucked under a heavy, rumpled white duvet. Her head rests on a white pillow, and her face is partially illuminated by warm morning sunlight streaming through the slats of a window. The room has a minimalist aesthetic with light-colored wooden paneled walls and soft, high-contrast lighting that creates long shadows across the bed.
Health

The best sleep position, according to science

You might be sleeping wrong.

radium water
Health

America’s deadly 1920s obsession with radioactive water

Radithor promised to cure anything, from wrinkles to leukemia.

three polar bear cubs curled up with their mother
Bears

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 announces People’s Choice winners

'The journey to take this image was more than just another photographic adventure, it was the pursuit of a dream that had been with me for years.'

A wide-angle, underwater photograph shows a vast field of dark, lumpy polymetallic nodules resting on the pale, sandy sediment of the deep ocean floor. The nodules, which are rich in minerals like manganese and cobalt, vary in size and densely cover the seafloor as it recedes into the dark, murky blue background. The lighting is artificial, illuminating the textures of the nodules and the flat, silty expanse of the abyssal plain.
Ocean

Mining the deep ocean

Renewable technologies need a multitude of critical minerals. The seabed could supply these riches. But at what cost?

two owls sit on a metal table with their wings up
Birds

Spunky baby owls examined after being found on soccer field

The young rescued birds put on a brave face during a ‘hands-off’ exam.

A serene Tennessee River flows beneath the Walnut Street Bridge during a picturesque sunrise, with lush green trees lining its banks. Houses are perched on a hill to the left, overlooking the tranquil waters. Walnut Street Bridge Chattanooga, TN Photo taken on May 12, 2024
Land

Chattanooga is the United States’ first National Park City

How the Tennessee city transformed from a polluted mess to a natural playground.

The best home deals from Amazon's big spring sale
Home

The best Amazon Big Spring Sale home deals: up to 53% off vacuums, air purifiers, KitchenAid, Dyson, and more

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is live with major discounts on vacuums, robot vacs, air purifiers, stand mixers, mattresses, bedding, and more.

Worx power yard tools on sale at Amazon
Home

These editor-approved WORX cordless outdoor power tools are up to 25% off at Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

WORX cordless outdoor power tools are up to 25% off at Amazon's Big Spring Sale, including a string trimmer for $90.

JBL speakers and earbuds
Audio

JBL’s Boombox 3 drops to $300 and the Tour Pro 2 earbuds hit $140 during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

The JBL Tour Pro 2 earbuds drop to $140 (44% off) and the Boombox 3 portable speaker hits $300 (40% off) at Amazon's Big Spring Sale.

Three different pizzas, sliced and ready to eat, sit on wooden boards.
Social Media

Software engineers design algorithm to solve pizza topping arguments

Pizza Voter makes the picking pepperoni, sausage, or pineapple as fair as possible.

Baku, Azerbaijan 13th January 2018, Coca-Cola Classic in a glass bottle on dark toned foggy Background. Coca Cola, Coke is the most popular carbonated soft drink beverages sold around the world
Science

Brewers are turning Coca-Cola into a very boozy wine

And you can, too.

a grad student works with a robotic hand that is directly mimicking its movement
Robots

This wristband makes you a robot puppeteer

A new robotic hand can toss balls, play piano, and gesture all by following your commands.

Illustration of Neanderthal tribe butchering large elephant near lake
Evolution

Neanderthals hunted giant elephants in Europe

125,000-year-old fossils and weapons confirm the first butchering site of its kind.

Ugreen thunderbolt dock
Gear

UGREEN’s Spring Sale offers huge discounts up to 45% on docking stations, power banks, cables, chargers, and more

You can finally get your desk in order and grab some backup power for your devices during UGREEN's limited time sale.

a bird with long legs and green feathers standing on a rock
Birds

Student discovers new Galápagos bird, solving a decades-old mystery

As far as herons go, this colorful bird is rather petite.

lock Safety license plate recognition camera on a pole
AI

Cameras have quietly appeared in thousands of US cities

Now, their integration with AI is sounding alarms.

A tight, candid close-up captures three Black men of different generations leaning their heads together in shared laughter. The man in the center is older with a grey beard, flanked by two younger men. All three have their eyes closed or squinted with joy, showcasing genuine, broad smiles and visible teeth. The image has a warm, intimate feel, emphasizing a strong emotional connection.
Ask Us Anything

Why is laughter contagious? Blame your brain.

The science behind that uncontrollable giggle.

Close up of gray squirrel in tree
Wildlife

Squirrels love almonds, and will work harder to get them

Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are just kind of meh.