Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 522)

Rare platinum ore nugget on a black background
Physics

Manipulating atomic motion could make metals stronger and bendier

By tracking individual atoms in crystal grains, materials scientists might find ways to make metals like platinum more useful.

string of lights at night
Energy

You might be buying the wrong lightbulbs

Get illuminated.

A four-legged robot with a black dog and computer programmer
AI

Machine learning helped MIT’s cheetah robot break its own speed record

Thanks to artificial intelligence, the Mini Cheetah can go as fast as its hardware allows.

What a no-fly zone over Ukraine would actually mean
Aviation

What a no-fly zone over Ukraine would actually mean

A no-fly zone is a complex and fraught operation. Here’s a primer on the history and pitfalls.

a yellow wheeled robot approaches a colony of penguins in the snow
Birds

The march of the penguins has a new star: an autonomous robot

ECHO is watching over Emperor penguins in a long-term effort to assess the health of Antarctica's ecosystems.

a patient receives a covid shot
Vaccines

mRNA COVID vaccines pose no serious risks for immunocompromised people

Data from an Italian study on high-risk volunteers boosts confidence in the safety of the Pfizer and Moderna shots.

Small brilliant colored reef fish with a pink face, yellow fins, and purple tail on a black background
Fish

This rainbow reef fish is just as magical as it looks

The ‘80s called and wants its eyeshadow back.

fingers typing on laptop keyboard
Social Media

What do ‘lurkers’ get out of Twitter?

A Pew survey wanted to understand what Twitter lurkers did on the platform.

Glowing red sphere of light around a black hole in a NASA simulation
Black Holes

Giant black holes and dark matter may share a hot origin story

At the heart of the mystery is why some black holes grew so large so quickly.

an electric VW bus
Electric Vehicles

Volkswagen’s retro bus is finally going electric

After a long road, the iconic van is getting modernized—and becoming an EV. Here's what to know about the ID Buzz.

telegram screenshot
Tech Hacks

How to avoid spoilers in group chats, and 6 other great Telegram tips

Maximize your messaging mojo.

Light-filled room with lots of pots of houseplants
Sustainability

Houseplants purify air, but not as much as you’d think

Opening up a window might be more helpful in regulating air quality, depending on where you live.

A surreal illustration of a smart home in the future.
Science Fiction

‘Home@Heart,’ a short story from an alternate future

In the year 2030, will 'we the people' benefit from our data? A sci-fi vision published in partnership with Simply Secure, Consumer Reports, and the Mozilla Foundation.

The apple studio display
Peripherals

Apple Studio Display review: You’re paying for 5K

Apple's Studio Display takes aim at creatives, but a unique set of features make it appealing to a much wider audience.

A couple dozen thumbnail-sized squares of chocolate, each with blotches and streaks of vivid rainbow colors.
Projects

Turn ordinary chocolate into a glimmering, iridescent treat

Bend light to your will, and feast.

A bike path with a yellow stripe covered in water. A bridge is on the horizon.
Climate Change

What a century of rising seas can tell us about the next 30 years

The crisis is here, even if you don’t think of it that way.

An iPhone.
Tech Hacks

4 ways to know if iOS or Android is better for you

Read this before making your choice.

brain on binary code
AI

Artificial intelligence is everywhere now. This report shows how we got here.

What’s AI commonly used for nowadays and how much funding does it get? All these questions and more are answered in the new Stanford index report.

A piezoelectric thread woven into regular fabric
Technology

This wearable fabric microphone can listen to the world—and your body

This fabric microphone could blend into your outfit—while keeping you fashionable—to track your health data.

A man looking at his phone and leaning against a windowsill next to a potted cactus about the size of a softball.
Life Skills

Plant care apps are more distracting than useful

It’s easier to enjoy your houseplants without your phone.