Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 550)

Power lines across sunset and cloud-filled sky.
Renewables

Utility companies could nix one-third of their emissions by 2050. Here’s how.

Some experts still worry that the goals set still aren't enough.

three colorful plastic hats that say happy new year on a black background with noisemakers and ribbons
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Check out the weirdest New Year’s Eve facts we could find

A Weirdest Thing holiday spectacular.

planet earth with a rounded black shadow creeping over its southern pole
Space

2021’s best space photos are out of this world

Glimpse back at this year's most extraordinary photos of outer space.

Why the CDC just shortened COVID quarantines to 5 days for asymptomatic cases
COVID-19

Why the CDC just shortened COVID quarantines to 5 days for asymptomatic cases

This change reflects when people are most likely to transmit the coronavirus, the agency says.

a Mojave drone in flight
Drones

Mojave, the new Predator drone, is built to navigate rugged terrain

The new flying machine can take off and land from shorter runways.

E.O. Wilson holding a stick with ants in front of a rainforest background in a National Portrait Gallery painting
Insects

E.O. Wilson changed the world with lessons learned from ants

He was the father of biodiversity and a model of sustainability.

a pair of gloved hands raised in the air
Health

COVID vaccines weren’t the only big health breakthroughs in 2021

From fighting HIV to vanquishing malaria.

the ocean near greenland with chunks of ice
Global Warming

Less ice in the Arctic could mean more wildfires in the US

Researchers uncovered a surprising climate connection.

Two hands holding half a ham sandwich or sub to demonstrate food photography tips
Tech Hacks

6 pro tips to make food look delicious on camera

Veteran cookbook photographer Jim Sullivan shares his advice on flattering food photography in any setting.

New study finds booster protection against Omicron drops at 10 weeks
Vaccines

New study finds booster protection against Omicron drops at 10 weeks

Protection against severe disease and hospitalization, however, should last much longer.

an electric pickup charges up another electric vehicle
Electric Vehicles

Ford’s charging into an era where EVs are power stations on wheels

Everything we know about which Ford electric vehicles will be able to charge each other up in a pinch.

Person watching TV and eating pop corn
Tech Hacks

11 totally legal streaming platforms that will let you watch movies for free

No Netflix, no problem.

two people safely riding bikes in the city
Life Skills

3 biking rules to keep everyone on the road safe

Bike safely and don’t forget to enjoy the ride.

Red toy truck carries a small recycled Christmas tree
Life Skills

What’s the most eco-friendly way to dispose of your Christmas tree?

Don't let it go fir nothing.

an illustration of a marine reptile
Evolution

These ancient marine reptiles got very big, very fast

They left whales in the evolutionary dust.

Why the Air Force wants to put lidar on robot dogs
Air Force

Why the Air Force wants to put lidar on robot dogs

Using laser-based sensors on robot dogs or drones is a way for the Air Force to survey damaged buildings at a base like Tyndall in Florida.

Jack Russell terrier dog facing a podcast microphone to record a science show
Ask Us Anything

Our favorite science podcast episodes of 2021

Haunted vaginas. Dinosaur barbecue. Periodic table poems. The world of science podcasts is wild, y'all.

Apple's iMessage messaging system within the iPhone Messages app, showing off some mini apps you can add to your conversations.
Tech Hacks

12 mini apps that will supercharge your iMessage experience

Apps within apps.

Person sitting under a light in a dark room to store holiday decorations, surrounded by Christmas lights
Life Skills

The best ways to store holiday decorations so your future self doesn’t hate you

Give yourself the gift of foresight.

Guiana Space Center mission control during the James Webb Space Telescope launch on Christmas Day
Space Telescope

After years of delays, the James Webb telescope is finally in space

The launch was a success, but mission control’s work is just beginning.