Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 501)

Faafafine individual at Auckland, New Zealand pride parade
Biology

Sex and gender binaries don’t tell the entire story of life

In 'Been There, Done That: A Rousing History of Sex,' PopSci executive editor Rachel Feltman shows why biology doesn't define us.

Sachin Kansal, vp of product at uber, introduces charging maps feature in the app
Electric Vehicles

Uber’s latest goals involve more delivery and more EVs

Here are all the new features the company announced at this year's Go/Get event.

A chimpanzee sitting with a baby between her leg. Her mouth is open to yell.
Animals

By combining screams, chimps seem to know 400 ‘words’

In more than 900 hours of recordings from wild chimpanzees, researchers heard hundreds of unique phrases that could resemble a language.

four orange candles are in a row with a black background
Sustainability

How to use candles and incense sustainably

From wax waste to essential oil sourcing, aromatherapy is fraught with sustainability questions.

A new AT&T update could make 911 calls more effective
Security

A new AT&T update could make 911 calls more effective

Here's how the carrier's new location tech works when a mobile phone connects with emergency services, and how it compares to the competition.

Various types of makeup on a white surface, with some leaves nearby.
Life Skills

How to tell if your makeup, shampoo, or sunscreen has gone bad

Some old cosmetics are surprisingly risky, while others you can hang onto for years.

Chien Shiung-Wu
Particle Physics

Chien-Shiung Wu’s work defied the laws of physics

Now regarded as the 'first lady of physics,' the Manhattan Project scientist was often not treated as a peer among her collaborators.

A person working on a laptop on a wooden table while taking a video call on their phone.
Tech Hacks

Keep your video calls private, whether you’re working or not

Online safety practices apply to Zoom meetings and Skype calls, too.

An image of the 1901 issue of Popular Science Monthly
Particle Physics

From the archives: The discovery of electrons breaks open the subatomic era

In the August 1901 issue of Popular Science, physicist J. J. Thomson excitedly detailed his methods for discovering the electron.

battery
Electric Vehicles

Swappable batteries can help spur electric scooter use across the globe

One company is expanding to Italy, and another to Israel.

A photo of a salmon hybrid.
Fish

This wild salmon hybrid is raising concerns in Canada

A recent study looks at the potential consequences of the chinook-coho hybrid, first was noticed in 2019.

Grass field with homes and wind turbines in the background.
Renewables

Why ‘rooftop wind’ simply can’t compete with rooftop solar

Our roofs may not be breezy enough to make a difference.

The Large Hadron Collider's magnet chain.
Particle Physics

The souped-up Large Hadron Collider is back to take on its weightiest questions yet

What happens where the LHC's beams meet tells us how the universe works.

A close up photo of a manatee.
Ocean

Environmental groups blame the EPA for more than 1,000 dead manatees

A federal lawsuit alleges that poor water quality in Florida is harming manatees and other species.

A false-color image of Yosemite's half dome
Environment

These laser scans show how fires have changed Yosemite’s forests

Aerial LIDAR scans make it easy to see the difference between a fire-resistant forest and one where fire has been suppressed.

A woman standing by the ocean, using her phone to take a photo of the sunset over the water.
Tech Hacks

How to share photos without blasting them all over the internet

Show off cute baby pics without losing your privacy.

Inside the Pentagon’s quest to help create cheap drones for soldiers
Drones

Inside the Pentagon’s quest to help create cheap drones for soldiers

The DOD has been working on catalyzing the market to produce inexpensive drones the military can securely use. Here's how.

A photo of a keyboard at a hospital.
Medicine

At US hospitals, a drug mix-up is just a few keystrokes away

Automated medication dispensing systems should be updated.

Blood moon in totality, partial lunar eclipse, and then moon in slight shadow
Moons

Don’t miss this weekend’s total lunar eclipse

The 'super flower blood moon' will go on for hours.

We’re sorry to report that NFTs are coming to Instagram
Cryptocurrency

We’re sorry to report that NFTs are coming to Instagram

But if you're wondering what it all means, here's a simple explainer about the tech.