Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 491)

A woman walking on a street wearing headphones, viewed from her shoulders up, as she looks off to her right.
Tech Hacks

5 ways to find your next favorite podcast

AI-powered algorithms are useful, but sometimes you just need to ask a real person what they think.

This small crocodile’s giant ancestors likely preyed on early humans
Animals

This small crocodile’s giant ancestors likely preyed on early humans

According to a recent study, the crocs roamed Africa 18 to 15 million years ago. They were at least twice as large as modern dwarf crocodiles.

Why it’s so hard to defend against cruise missiles
Weapons

Why it’s so hard to defend against cruise missiles

A recent conference raises the question: What kind of threat does this type of weapon pose to the United States?

Poster at protest reading "stop coal now."
Climate Change

Federal climate policy is still possible—if Biden takes action

After multiple blows to climate efforts, it is time for the president to step up.

dining room with plants
Life Skills

9 nature-inspired decorating tips to make your home a more relaxing space

Experts say it's important to mimic nature.

A beginner’s guide to iPhone bird photography
DIY

A beginner’s guide to iPhone bird photography

Put down the pricey telephoto lens, here's how to capture outstanding bird photos using just your smartphone and a spotting scope.

Baby orca next to adult in the Salish Sea near Washington
Ocean

A baby orca sparks a glimmer of hope for an endangered group of whales

The survival of southern resident killer whales is inextricably tied to the health of Chinook salmon.

The B-21 bomber won’t need a drone escort, thank you very much
Air Force

The B-21 bomber won’t need a drone escort, thank you very much

The Air Force's next-gen stealth bomber will be flying solo. Here's why.

Fish poop could help coral reefs.
Ocean

Fish poop might help fight coral reef bleaching

Researchers are working to prove that coral-eating fish spread corals’ symbiotic algae in their feces. If they’re right, it could open new opportunities for helping struggling reefs cope.

UK and US flags
Security

A US-UK agreement is changing how tech companies respond to law enforcement requests

What you should know about the Data Access Agreement.

human oocytes seen under a microscope. on the left is a normal image, and on the right is the cell dyed and fluorescing to show the amount of reactive oxygen species
Medicine

Human eggs have a ‘standby battery mode’ that allows them to last decades

Human oocytes can last for up to 50 years—and a newly discovered metabolic pathway is key to this longevity.

Poliovirus particles in blue and green in a digital rendering
Diseases

What to know about the new rare polio case in New York

The inactivated version of the polio vaccine used in the US doesn't infect people.

A Navy ship got a giant liquid-metal 3D printer earlier this month
Navy

A Navy ship got a giant liquid-metal 3D printer earlier this month

The printer weighs 4,630 pounds (without its large metal storage box) and heats aluminum up to 1,562 degrees.

A DIY plant hanger made out of two pieces of wood and some rope.
Projects

These DIY hanging plant shelves will make your home feel like a forest canopy

Stop putting plants on the ground and build shelves for them in midair.

Hummer EV
Military

The Army will test out the new Hummer EV for off-roading

The Army is interested in electric off-road vehicles, and the Hummer EV checks a lot of boxes.

Facebook loading screen
Internet

Facebook will try to make its news feed more personal again

The app's news feed makeover will separate friends' posts from suggested content.

GLASS-z13 galaxy glowing red in hazy yellow stars from the James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam
Space Telescope

Astronomers are already using James Webb Space Telescope data to hunt down cryptic galaxies

NASA's massive space telescope doubles as a pair of "night goggles" for star seekers.

Tiktaalik’s ancient cousin decided life was better in the water
Evolution

Tiktaalik’s ancient cousin decided life was better in the water

This paddle-finned fish may have returned to swimming in search of tasty meat.

amazon 4-star store
Internet

Amazon targets Facebook groups to curb fake product reviews

Amazon wants to put a stop to the Facebook groups that fraudsters have been using to gather and plan coordinated attacks.

red panda sleeping on branch
Wildlife

We don’t have a full picture of the planet’s shrinking biodiversity. Here’s why.

A limited view of ecology leads to extremely limited conservation efforts.