Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 665)

Kid in pink bathing suit doing a flip in a lake
Fitness & Exercise

Swimming is the ultimate brain exercise. Here’s why.

It may be the closest thing humans have to a fountain of youth.

Dried grass and flowers in a drought and heat wave
Weather

More than a dozen US states are under a heatwave alert

Soaring temperatures could cause droughts and floods in stressed-out areas.

An artist's depiction of a black hole with an accretion disk, a flat structure of material orbiting the black hole, and a jet of hot gas launching out from the center, called plasma.
Black Holes

One of Einstein’s predictions on black holes has finally been confirmed

The findings reveal more about how light warps around black holes.

Microphone conference calls
Tech Hacks

Tips for better sound better on video conference calls

You won’t need to ask, “can you hear me?” over and over anymore.

Instagram app on a mobile phone.
Social Media

Instagram now lets you manage ‘sensitive content.’ Here’s how to use it.

The new feature, which applies to posts in the 'Explore' tab, raises the old question: what is sensitive content, anyway?

Power grids
Security

The Biden Administration just revealed its plan to stop the next Colonial Pipeline hack

The initiatives are currently voluntary as the federal government seeks collaboration from industries that provide essential services like power, water, and transportation.

A person holding their phone while drinking coffee, possibly deleting text message attachments from their device.
Tech Hacks

Delete message attachments on your phone to free up space

There's no need to uninstall your apps just yet.

pregnant belly with graph representing dropping birth rate
Science

Why birth rates are falling, and why it’s no big deal

Fewer women are having children, and for the most part that's a good thing.

These fossils could represent the oldest animals ever found
Animals

These fossils could represent the oldest animals ever found

The remains were perhaps left by sponges that died nearly 900 million years ago, but much remains uncertain.

a military weapon call the active denial system
Air Force

The US military wants force fields that could stop nuclear missiles

Force fields are the stuff of science fiction, but directed energy systems to fry drones, or stop people, already exist. Here's what's real about the tech—and what's more fantastical.

An owl sitting on the branch of an evergreen tree in the forest.
Projects

Transform your yard into an owl kingdom

Whooo doesn't love owls?

young girl wearing mask
Vaccines

CDC: Vaccinated people in two-thirds of the US should mask up

People living in counties with significant levels of COVID transmission, which amounts to two-thirds of all US counties, should resume masking.

A dark haired person wearing a black and white patterned mask with a red backpack stands in a grocery store aisle, holding up a smartphone in one hand and running their other hand through their hair. They are looking intently at an array of colorful packaged foods.
Vaccines

What the CDC’s new mask guidance means for you

Indoor masking for vaccinated people is back, but depends on your area.

Woman on laptop with dog and bag of vegetables.
Pets

How to lower your dog or cat’s carbon pawprint

You can love your pets and the planet at the same time.

xbox-controller
Tech Hacks

Change your controller’s button configuration for more comfortable gameplay

Embrace your unique style by remapping your PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch controllers.

A white-and-black PlayStation 5 controller on top of a white-and-black PS5.
Tech Hacks

How to optimize your PS5’s storage space so you don’t run out immediately

Don't stress out about deleting games.

A practice Coast Guard rescue in the ocean
Aviation

What it’s like to rescue someone at sea from a Coast Guard helicopter

We flew in a big MH-60T chopper and watched dramatic practice scenarios unfold first-hand.

A person using their phone while wearing a face mask and wearing a red plaid shirt.
Tech Hacks

Custom vibrations and other ways to shake up your smartphone messages

Do more with your favorite communication apps.

Mother and baby killer whale swimming in ocean with mountains in the background.
Whales

These killer whales go through menopause

Few mammals go through menopause, and the Biggs killer whale is one of them.

I flew in an F-16 with the Air Force and oh boy did it go poorly
Air Force

I flew in an F-16 with the Air Force and oh boy did it go poorly

Your body probably isn't ready to fly in a fighter jet.