Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 539)

Creek running through yellow meadows and mountains in the Colorado basin
Climate Change

The US is losing some of its biggest freshwater reserves

Globally, around 2.2 billion people and 27 percent of all food crop production is located in drying-out freshwater basins.

Red and white heart balloons released into blue sky which can become hazardous.
Birds

Do something sweet for Earth—ditch balloons this Valentine’s Day

They're not worth the risk to wildlife and the power grid.

the Ford Bronco Raptor
Vehicles

Ford’s new Bronco Raptor is made for off-roading—at high speeds

Here's what's under the hood.

A person in workout attire trying to run but they're chained down to a viral particle.
COVID-19

The long road back to fitness after COVID

A pulse oximeter, debilitating fear, and one writer's slow climb back to working out.

Truck driving under bridge in a blizzard.
Weather

After uncertain forecasts, serious winter weather will slam the East Coast

Several areas have already declared a state of emergency.

the view from on a container ship
Pollution

How floating power ports could help cargo ships cut their air pollution

A new system from Maersk aims to give offshore container ships a way to plug into a buoy—and shut off their engines.

Scientists found a fleeting particle from the universe’s first moments
Particle Physics

Scientists found a fleeting particle from the universe’s first moments

To detect an X particle, make some quark-gluon plasma.

IR label on mug
Technology

These 3D-printed objects have scannable barcodes that you can’t see

The secret ingredient is infrared light.

Scrambled eggs on some toast with roasted potatoes and cherry tomatoes on a white place.
Life Skills

5 ways cornstarch can change your life, in and out of the kitchen

Just dropping a few kernels of wisdom.

a white and blue box of paxlovid covid pills, with the pfizer logo
COVID-19

COVID antiviral pills work against Omicron—when people can get them

Oral antivirals hold promise for staving off serious illness, but supplies remain limited.

A global view of Mars.
Mars

Mysterious bright spots fuel debate over whether Mars holds liquid water

What's with these bright spots on Mars?

The Jabra Elite 7 Active earbuds in their case sitting on hay
Earbuds

Jabra Elite 7 Active review: A perfect fit?

A slim design and grippy EarGels make the Jabra Elite 7 Active Bluetooth earbuds a sound choice for active listeners.

The Navy’s next robotic ship could be customizable
Navy

The Navy’s next robotic ship could be customizable

Designing an autonomous ship means thinking beyond human needs. Here's what we know about the MUSV so far.

A child cross-country skiing on a snowy field near some round, tree-covered mountains.
Projects

Get your kids’ hearts beating by teaching them to cross-country ski

The flat white plains welcome you.

A patient sitting on a hospital bed with an IV, with two medical providers wearing protective clothes on either side.
COVID-19

Why the FDA paused monoclonal antibody treatments

Health experts are supporting limited use of two monoclonal antibody treatments after reports that they were ineffective against Omicron.

Skier on ice in competition.
Climate Change

Climate change has the Winter Olympics on thin ice

Fewer and fewer locations are suitable for snow-loving sporting events.

a highway at night
Vehicles

How the DOT wants to prevent thousands of traffic deaths

Roads in the US are getting deadlier. A new strategy from the Department of Transportation will try to help.

pc laptop showing storage spaces on the screen
Tech Hacks

Windows’ Storage Spaces lets you combine your hard drives

Take control over your computer hard drive.

Liquid nitrogen vanilla ice cream in a goblet glass with a strawberry on top and water vapor all around it.
Life Skills

Microcrystalline in 30 seconds

Behold the smooth, sweet powers of liquid N.

a man stretching out and warming up before exercise
Fitness & Exercise

Short walks could have a big impact on the country’s health

Injecting a quick workout to your day is simple, but with big benefits.