Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 56)

Mayan child tooth with jade gem and two x-ray images of the tooth
Archaeology

Jade gems decorated these Mayan kids’ teeth

Three Pre-Hispanic specimens show that the dental accessories weren't just for grown-ups.

By Andrew Paul

best portable Bluetooth speakers header image
Speakers

The best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025, tested and reviewed for every budget and trip

From the backyard to the backwoods, a portable Bluetooth speaker will keep you connected to the music.

By Tony Ware, Carsen Joenk, Brandt Ranj, Amanda Reed

A large female black mountain gorilla on all fours turns her head to the camera, while its young offspring with fluffy black fur rides on its back, also looking toward the camera. They are surrounded by dense green foliage in a natural habitat.
Biology

Female mountain gorillas wield a lot of power

Alliances with silverbacks help females outrank bigger rivals.

By RJ Mackenzie

A close-up, action shot of professional female golfer Julieta Granada from Paraguay during a golf tournament. She is in mid-swing, wearing a red polo shirt, a white visor, and a white golf glove, with a determined expression on her face. In the background, a few spectators are partially visible behind a rope, with lush green trees blurred in the distance.
Fitness & Exercise

Why is the object of golf to play as little golf as possible?

By Patrick Tutka / The Conversation

a seagull squawking. its mouth is wide open
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

These birds are super loud during sex—and that could teach us something about gender roles 

Plus other weird things we learned this week.

By Popular Science Team

A dramatic, high-contrast shot of the snow-capped summit of Mount Everest, with jagged ridges and a glacier visible below. The peak is set against a deep blue sky and partially surrounded by bright white clouds.
Drones

Mount Everest has a poo problem. Are drones the answer?

Specialized drones removed 660 pounds of trash from the mountain this season.

By Mack DeGeurin

This image set showcases three views of the Butterfly Nebula, featuring an optical and near-infrared view from Hubble (left and middle) and the latest Webb/ALMA image. ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, M. Matsuura, J. Kastner, K. Noll, ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), N. Hirano, J. Kastner, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb)
Space Telescope

Colorful space ‘butterfly’ glimmers with planet-making dust

Planetary building blocks shimmer in this extraterrestrial light show.

By Andrew Paul

a shark tooth with jagged edges on a black background
Ocean

Sharks may be losing their bite

‘Jaws’ doesn’t hold up as well without those terrifying teeth.

By Lauren Leffer

six glowing succulents in shades of blue, yellow, red, green, and a mixture of all
Biology

Glow-in-the-dark succulents are here

‘Imagine glowing trees replacing streetlights.’

By Laura Baisas

Illustration of the Great Fear of 1789
Science

Rumors spread like viruses. The French Revolution proved it.

Historians and epidemiologists join forces to uncover some scary and relevant lessons.

By Andrew Paul

a broken payphone (left) and a refurbished one (right)
Engineering

In Vermont, one man is bringing pay phones back to life

Randtel refurbishes and retrofits used pay phones that the public can use for free.

By Mack DeGeurin

Happy kid playing with toy airplane against summer sky background
Health

Do people dream in color or black and white?

About 70% to 80% of people report dreaming in color.

By Kimberly Fenn / The Conversation

Anker docking stations on a yellow background
Peripherals

This Anker docking station can organize your entire desk and it’s $100 off during Amazon’s Labor Day sale

This 14-port hub can connect to and charge your laptop, external monitors, and accessories. Grab some upgraded USB-C cables as part of the sale, too.

By Stan Horaczek

A scanning electron microscope image of a micrometeorite impact crater in a particle of asteroid Bennu material.
Deep Space

Some asteroids are more ‘colorful’ than others. Here’s why.

New research on the Bennu asteroid explains why some look red, blue, or grey.

By Andrew Paul

a curled yellow deep sea worm
Wildlife

Deep sea worm wears Rembrandt’s favorite toxic color

Rembrandt painted with it. This worm survives on it. Say hello to orpiment.

By Laura Baisas

Black TREBLAB headphones and speakers on a white background
Headphones

TREBLAB offers more sound and savings with limited-time Labor Day headphone & speaker deals

Save up to 45% during the end-of-summer audio sale at Amazon, but act fast before prices rise and the leaves fall.

By Tony Ware

a blue lobster
Wildlife

A super rare, blue lobster escapes the dinner plate

The colorful crustacean has a one in 2 million genetic mutation.

By Laura Baisas

Stream of beer filling up glass with foam coming over sides
Physics

How to brew the best beer foam, according to physics

Raise a pint to proteins.

By Andrew Paul

A woman with her eyes closed and head tilted back, smiling serenely, stands in a dense forest. She is wearing a bright yellow raincoat and a backpack, with tall, dark tree trunks rising all around her. The sunlight filters through the canopy, creating a peaceful and happy mood.
Mental Health

Does St. John’s wort really increase serotonin?

The 'natural antidepressant' may not be as safe or effective as you think.

By Clarissa Brincat

A low-angle view of three large, silver cylindrical storage tanks, with a bright blue sky and white clouds in the background. The center tank is labeled with a large "H2" and the word "HYDROGEN." A metal ladder and railing system is attached to the side of the tank. The corner of a tree with green leaves is visible in the foreground on the right.
Energy

A hidden fuel source beneath the Midwest? Scientists are investigating.

Natural hydrogen could transform the clean energy sector—if we can find enough of it.

By Rebecca Egan McCarthy / Grist