Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 676)

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.

Discord screenshot of the Science and Technology channel
Tech Hacks

Why you should use Discord (even if you’re not a gamer)

Discord started as a way for gamers to communicate, but it has since branched out.

Young person receiving vaccine from healthcare worker while wearing a mask.
Vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines are working in the real world

Here's everything you need to know this week.

A conceptual solar canal.
Renewables

Solar panels and water canals could form a real power couple in California

Solar canals save water, create energy, and protect natural lands all at the same time.

Super Resolution in Photoshop
AI

Photoshop’s new Super Resolution feature makes images bigger, not blurrier

Quadruple the resolution of your photos without crushing the quality.

Brown cow at a mountain farm.
Agriculture

Putting cows on a seaweed diet helps curb their methane burps

Less methane-filled flatulence could make for a more sustainable way to raise livestock.

A COVID-19 rapid antigen test kit being ripped open
COVID-19

Access to at-home COVID-19 tests will soon become way easier

But going to a clinic for a PCR test is still a better option in some cases.

White-tailed deer fawn standing in grass
COVID-19

White-tailed deer test positive for COVID-19 in lab studies

Early data shows they can catch the virus from humans and spread it to each other through fluids.

A monarch butterfly caterpillar.
Global Warming

As the planet warms, tropical plants and animals are moving northward

New research looks at the northward trek of a variety of tropical species in North America.

The METL bike tire on a bike with the sky in the background
NASA

These airless bike tires rely on a metal alloy designed for NASA rovers

The Smart Bike Company's METL tires rely on a NASA-developed alloy material to create an airless tire.