Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 514)

laguna beach
Engineering

As California plans for a new desalination plant, take a look at how these facilities work

The Doheny Ocean Desalination Project, estimated to be completed in 2027, will provide 5 million gallons of drinking water a day to residents in Orange County.

Pale-skinned person with silver hair in black dress to look like vampire sipping on a glass of red wine or blood
Diseases

Is it OK to drink blood?

A little human blood won't kill ya, but going full-on vampire might.

Lab-grown coral
Ocean

Scientists grow stunning, endangered coral in a lab

But the coral are trapped in tanks, still waiting to be released on the reefs.

The constellation Orion, centered on the three bright stars of a belt.
Deep Space

Why we turn stars into constellations

The stars are not a blank canvas across which we can sketch every fanciful idea.

coffin shaped wooden wedding card box on table
Projects

Build a beautiful wedding card box shaped like a coffin for some spooky storage

As a fancy upgrade, line it with velvet.

NASA asteroid probe Lucy flying through the solar system's asteroid belt in illustration
NASA

Look up! NASA’s asteroid-hunting spacecraft will slingshot past Earth this weekend.

While this Lucy won't be 'in the sky with diamonds,' it will be visible in the morning light.

diy mechanical keyboard
Projects

Build a mechanical keyboard from scratch with 3D-printed components

You can also just buy parts to put together this highly customizable model.

The Army’s new light tank can venture where its beefier cousins can’t
Army

The Army’s new light tank can venture where its beefier cousins can’t

Plus, the MPF is designed to be ready to fight after rolling out of an aircraft.

Wildland firefighters face another danger—an increased risk of long COVID
Land

Wildland firefighters face another danger—an increased risk of long COVID

Long COVID affects more than 16 million Americans, and firefighters are at increased risk of getting it.

Endangered species Karner blue butterfly on a flower bud
Insects

Why the Endangered Species Act is often too little, too late

Rare butterflies illustrate how federal protections need more scientific muscle.

Volcano belching lava and gas above ocean to represent Great Oxygenation Event
Evolution

Geologists are searching for when the Earth took its first breath

The planet's early oxygenation events were more like rollercoaster rides than spikes.

Animals notice—and adapt—when humans are in national parks
Bears

Animals notice—and adapt—when humans are in national parks

Wolves and bears often avoid corners of parks where humans frequent.

Two photos of Elon Musk on smartphone screens
Social Media

SpaceX says it can no longer fund Ukraine’s Starlink access

Following an exchange on Twitter, the move may put Ukrainian defense at risk.

Google’s new passkey support is helping kill the password
Security

Google’s new passkey support is helping kill the password

It's still in beta, but the tech is part of an important, larger initiative involving Apple and Microsoft, too.

person holding phone
Tech Hacks

The best ways to select text on your phone and computer

You might have been selecting text wrong all this time.

Stranger Things playing on smartphone screen draped with Christmas lights against dark background
Internet

Netflix to join Hulu and Disney+ with a cheaper ad-supported streaming tier

Starting next month, $6.99 will get you (most of) Netflix with 5 minutes of ads per hour.

The risk of heart inflammation is higher for COVID infections than the vaccine
Vaccines

The risk of heart inflammation is higher for COVID infections than the vaccine

Myocarditis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and irregular heartbeat.

People will throw away about 5.3 billion phones this year
Pollution

People will throw away about 5.3 billion phones this year

Despite containing some valuable materials like copper, silver, and gold, most cell phones are chucked into the garbage.

Creative-Pebble-2-USB-best-desktop-speakers-feature-image
PC Gaming

Best desktop speakers

With the best desktop speakers, you'll get you an A in A/V equipment.

a silver balloon is inflating in a desert as the sun rises
Solar System

Balloon bots might help uncover Venus’ hazy secrets

Floating above the skies could be the trick to surviving and studying the planet's hellish landscape.