Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 555)

Light brown tarantula with white discharge around mouth being attacked by a nematode worm on a bacteria backsplash
Spiders

What do you call a tiny tarantula killer? Jeff Daniels.

The actor says the new species designation "made him smile."

a person takes a selfie
Security

Why the IRS wants you to log in with a video selfie

The IRS will be requiring a video selfie, submitted through ID.me, for access to its website. Here's what to know.

hands-on-desktyping on mac computer
Tech Hacks

Save computer memory by turning your browser into an operating system

Your browser is more powerful than you think.

an air taxi in the sky
Aviation

This little air-taxi company just got a big lift from Boeing

Boeing is investing $450 million in Wisk, which is working on autonomous, electric air taxis.

Winter-Plant-Care
Life Skills

How to help houseplants survive winter

The bad news? There's not a lot you can do.

Can cannabis protect people from COVID? Buzzy studies can’t say.
COVID-19

Can cannabis protect people from COVID? Buzzy studies can’t say.

Preliminary research shows that very high, pure concentrations of CBD could hamper SARS-CoV-2.

Low hanging cloud layer over snowy ground
Pollution

How a bewitching weather phenomenon took over a Maine town

Events called inversions make for spellbinding views—or long-lasting haze.

a person is pricking their finger for blood to test on a white strip with a dropper
Diseases

Insurance coverage for at-home tests could help stop the rise in STIs

STI rates have been rising for years, and the pandemic is making things worse. Now California has a new law requiring insurance companies to cover at-home tests.

A fossil with a series of diagonal slashes cut into one corner.
Evolution

Eating meat may not have been as crucial to human evolution as we thought

Ancient humans definitely ate meat, but it probably didn't supersize their brains.

NVIDIA supercomputing tech
Social Media

Meta’s new supercomputer could power its virtual universe

Meta unveils the blueprint for a 16,000 GPU supercomputer that can handle complex AI models.

A person holding a phone with a map app open leading them to a butcher shop.
Tech Hacks

Data limits are the worst—here’s how to stay under yours

The data must flow.

Red and purple berries on a thorny green invasive shrub
Conservation

Many Indigenous languages lack a word for ‘conservation.’ Here’s why.

In her new book, Indigenous scholar and scientist Jessica Hernandez explains why caring for a landscape is different than conserving it.

a humpback whale breaching the surface of the water with its mouth open
Whales

Baleen whales have an ‘oral plug’ to help them guzzle down food without choking

The newly-discovered fatty structure in fin whales might seal the upper airway during swallowing.

NAO robot
Robots

Humans are so social that we try to fit in with robots

Teaching robots simple social skills could make human interactions go smoother.

An electric mountain bike on a hillside at sunset.
Projects

The gear you need to turn a regular bike into an e-bike

A bike, but more so.

A desk with a grid of printed digital photos on it, in the light from a window.
Tech Hacks

5 ways to bring your digital photos into the real world

From albums to phone cases—bring your JPGs to life.

The JWST rocket launch.
Space Telescope

NASA’s James Webb telescope is about to arrive at an exceptional point in space

The telescope will drift at gravity's tipping point between Earth and the sun.

a woman in a white tank top does a yoga post on a pink and yellow background
Fitness & Exercise

How much exercise do I need to stay healthy?

Reaping the health benefits of staying active might be simpler than you think.

inside of a Tesla
Self Driving

‘Autopilot’ systems in cars are finally getting graded on safety

An industry group is going to evaluate a vehicle's safeguards—the features that monitor the driver to make sure they are actually paying attention.

A table saw blade tuned up and straightened to exactly vertical at 90 degrees.
Projects

Tune your table saw up the right way

Ensure 90-degree cuts with some simple maintenance.