Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 599)

art illustration of person reaching for their toes
Ask Us Anything

Why can’t we all touch our toes?

Don’t worry, it’s not a fair measure of fitness.

Cleaning supplies.
Health

Why you shouldn’t mix cleaning supplies, even if it looks cool

Proceed with caution. And if it bubbles, evacuate.

Deer on the road at night risking a car crash
Animals

These are the days in the year you’re more likely to hit a deer

Accident reports and insurance claims in New York and other states show some clear patterns.

a nose smelling the stars (illustration)
NASA

What does space smell like?

Spoiler: a lot of other planets smell like farts.

A rocky asteroid takes up the left half of the frame, and a satellite with two large solar panels sits to the right.
Solar System

Meet Lucy: NASA’s new asteroid-hopping spacecraft

The stars are aligning to let Lucy visit a record-shattering eight asteroids.

A bear sleeping, maybe after eating its fill of trash.
Life Skills

How to keep fat bears (and other bears) out of your trash

Bears should be noshing on tasty salmon, not human scraps.

A photo of the planet Jupiter.
Space Telescope

Jupiter’s Great Red Spot is whirling faster than ever

Hubble has been observing the Jovian storm for more than a decade.

teens texting on smartphone
Social Media

Criticism has pushed ‘Instagram Kids’ back to the drawing board

“Instagram Kids” has attracted criticism for months. WSJ's recent investigative probe refocused attention on the service.

Parasitic birds like cuckoos seem to target victims who can’t see well
Birds

Parasitic birds like cuckoos seem to target victims who can’t see well

An analysis of more than 2,000 species suggests eye size may determine which birds are fooled by imposter eggs.

man wiping his nose with a tissue
COVID-19

A comprehensive guide to coronavirus symptoms

COVID-19 symptoms can be incredibly confusing, but there are actually easy-to-understand clusters.

vampire bats hanging inside a tree
Bats

Vampire bats rendezvous with their friends when dining out

Fancy meeting you on this cow!

PayPal app on phone
Cryptocurrency

PayPal will now pay you interest, and offer other bank-like features

The new PayPal app has features for savings, direct deposit, in-app shopping tools, bill pay, and crypto.

A top-looking-down photo of a rocket with the blue NASA logo.
NASA

With Landsat 9, NASA can now photograph the entire Earth every 8 days

Along with its already orbiting companion, Landsat 8, the just-launched satellite will monitor how climate change continues to alter the Earth's surface.

A person using their iPhone to take a photo of some food on a table.
Tech Hacks

Use your phone to identify plants, landmarks, and other mysterious objects

Your smartphone may know what it is, even if you don't.

line of covid-19 vaccines
Vaccines

If you’re unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccine, read this

Experts break down vaccine development, breakthrough infections, and more.

A new program will incentivize utility companies to tap clean sources, and that’s not the only good news
Renewables

A new program will incentivize utility companies to tap clean sources, and that’s not the only good news

The clean energy plan rewards utilities that change their ways—and punishes those who don't.

The Rivian R1T breaks the electric-pickup game wide open
Electric Vehicles

The Rivian R1T breaks the electric-pickup game wide open

What it's like to drive a futuristic, mountain-climbing electric pickup truck that packs the power of a supercar.

illustration-old-man-see-young-man-in-mirror
Health

Has the fountain of youth been in our blood all along?

Studies published over the last 15 years have found that young blood can reinvigorate aging mice. Now, scientists are trying to crack the code—or codes—swimming through our veins.

A bald man wearing headphones and a backpack in a crowded area, maybe a train station.
Tech Hacks

The easiest way to cue up calming sounds on your iPhone

It all comes down to how fast you can press a button.

fossilized human footprints
Archaeology

These footprints could push back human history in the Americas

But knowing for sure isn't easy.