Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 661)

A phone with the New York COVID vaccine site on it
Vaccines

How to protect your privacy while signing up for a COVID-19 vaccine online

A surprising number of state COVID vaccine sites include tracking cookies and pixels.

Vaccine vials in a lab
Vaccines

What went wrong with AstraZeneca’s COVID vaccine data?

US experts said the recently published trial results included outdated data that provided an "incomplete view of the efficacy."

Shadow of a black hole
Black Holes

Something sent one of the universe’s heaviest black holes flying

A new survey offers the most concrete evidence yet for a roaming supermassive black hole.

Older man wearing a medical mask
Vaccines

Is it okay to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines? We’ll know soon enough.

A combination of vaccines could help distribution problems—and potentially increase protection against variants.

Healthcare worker speaks with patient.
COVID-19

Getting COVID after vaccination is really rare—and likely to be more mild

Breakthrough cases are still possible, so we need to remain vigilant.

The first-ever image of the magnetic fields of a black hole.
Black Holes

Astronomers used telescopic ‘sunglasses’ to photograph a black hole’s magnetic field

The only thing harder to see than a black hole itself is a black hole’s magnetic field.

Brown bear walks on trail
Bears

Scientists stuck grizzly bears on treadmills and confirmed they hate hills as much as we do

A new study helps explain why bear sightings are so common on hiking trails.

B-52 Bomber
Air Force

Gallery: From hatch to dials, a look around and inside a B-52 bomber

The B-52 is big, old, and rugged. Here's what they look like up close.

an atom interferometer
Science

Researchers just linked three atomic clocks, and it could change the future of timekeeping

Redefining the second is a big project. This is one crucial step towards accomplishing that goal.

grassy area burning in a forest fire
Global Warming

Forest fires leave behind charcoal—and it might be toxic for years

New research shows the compounds created during a blaze stick around, and could be hazardous to humans.

Astronaut Scott Kelly taking a selfie in space
Mars

Spending time in space could shrink your heart

Zero-gravity affects organ fitness—what does that mean for future space missions?

A person leaning over a desk working on two phones and a laptop, as one might do when it’s time to switch phones.
Tech Hacks

How to switch phones without losing your information

Ditch your old device but keep your data.

Clean glass of filtered water
Health

Simple filters made from conifer trees could have a huge impact on the clean water crisis

Millions of people lack access to clean water across the world, but this accessible technology could help.

drakaea livida orchid being pollinated by a thynnine wasp
Insects

This incredibly rare orchid survives by making male beetles horny

When a species is a rare as the Disa forficaria, pollination requires some creativity.

Boston Dynamics Stretch robot picking up boxes
Robots

The new Boston Dynamics ‘Stretch’ robot is a mobile arm built for moving boxes

The latest addition to the Boston Dynamics family has a vacuum-powered grabber and tons of sensors.

Three donuts on a checkered tablecloth
Diabetes

Plant-based diets aren’t always healthy

Certain vegetarian and vegan foods come with their own health risks.

A person putting an Apple Pencil on a blank iPad Mini screen.
Cryptocurrency

NFTs are blowing up the digital art and collectibles worlds. Here’s how they work.

Digital art and collectibles are blowing up on the blockchain.

Elk bull, calf, and cow with radio tags against the West Virginia mountains
Wildlife

West Virginia’s native elk have finally come home

The last recorded sighting of a wild elk in the Mountain State was in 1875.

couple waking up to alarm
Life Skills

Choose an alarm app that will actually wake you up

Rise and really, really shine.

octopus
Animals

Octopus change color as they shift between sleep phases

Researchers still don't fully understand why animals, including humans, need sleep.