Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 561)

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

We’re still in the dark about a key black hole paradox

Until recently, the existence of black holes was far from a given.

An inside look at how one person can control a swarm of 130 robots
Drones

An inside look at how one person can control a swarm of 130 robots

Virtual reality and artificial intelligence helped with the daunting task.

Multicolored masks for COVID-19 hanging from clothesline.
COVID-19

What to do with your old cloth masks

As experts tell us to upgrade our cloth masks, what do we do with all our extras?

two male astronauts in a space station. one helps the other draw a blood sample from his arm
International Space Station

Astronauts are losing 3 million red blood cells every second in space

A new study suggests that astronauts may experience space anemia much longer than previously thought.

Amazon style app
Technology

Amazon’s high tech clothing store is coming to California later this year

Preview what Amazon has planned for its in-person clothing store.

person on laptop using windows
Tech Hacks

Microsoft upgraded Windows Media Player—but you might still prefer one of these apps

Take control of your audio and video files on Windows 11.

Havana, Cuba.
Weapons

What causes Havana Syndrome? Not foreign attackers, CIA says.

Most cases probably resulted from stress or other natural explanations.

a doctor in a face mask, gloves, and hair net draws a vaccine with a syringe out of a vial
COVID-19

Why healthy, vaccinated people should still care about Omicron

Omicron may be less virulent than previous coronavirus variants, but it’s too early to celebrate

A laptop running Zoom sitting on a blue desk in an empty school classroom.
Tech Hacks

How to avoid seeing yourself on video calls

Sometimes you can't turn your camera off but you still want to stay out of view.

Orange and black butterfly on yellow flower
Pollution

Bees and butterflies have trouble smelling flowers in polluted air

Researchers have found that diesel exhaust and ozone make it difficult for pollinators to find flowers, reducing plant-production rates.

A wild sheep with curled horns in front of trees.
Archaeology

Humans probably didn’t mean to tame sheep and goats

Bones from a village in Turkey tell a 1,000-year story of wild animals becoming livestock.

diver examines underwater cable in pacific
Internet

The volcanic eruption severed Tonga’s internet connection, and repairs won’t be easy

The sole cable linking Tonga to the global internet backbone in the South Pacific was broken after the eruption.

A young man in a plaid shirt standing against a wooden wall wearing glasses with flip-up outdoor lenses, looking at his phone with a shocked face.
Tech Hacks

Simple accessibility settings that will make your smartphone easier to use

Bigger text, hands-free controls, and read-aloud options.

Power lines.
Climate Change

ExxonMobil’s ‘net-zero’ goals don’t address its biggest source of carbon emissions

Its plan neglects pollution produced when consumers use its products.

The Henize 2-10 starburst galaxy
Black Holes

Black holes have a reputation as devourers. But they can help spawn stars, too.

In a first, astrophysicists observe a black hole help create new stars in a dwarf galaxy.

a woman with tan skin and curly hair wearing workout clothes and holding a yoga mat looks down at her phone
Social Media

Your social media ‘fitspo’ is not a good influence

It only takes a few minutes for Instagram to mess with your head.

a frog and spider over an art illustration
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

Why some tiny frogs have tarantulas as bodyguards

Plus other fun facts from The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.

woman with book in face
AI

Researchers used AI to explain complex science. Results were mixed.

This tool summarizes the abstracts of scientific studies in a way that second graders can understand.

Person in white buttondown and with long black hair in COVID surgical mask leaning against a table with milk, a bowl of cereal, and green apples and oranges
COVID-19

Some people still can’t smell or taste a year after COVID

While most infected individuals do recover, some are experiencing long-term changes with their senses.

a 3d rendering of a rocky asteroid
Space

Do look up at this asteroid as it whizzes safely past Earth tonight

Don't worry, it's not going to be like the recent movie.