Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 699)

Sometimes noise is incredibly helpful.

Your mind’s playing tricks on you—and that’s the whole point.

“A broad theme of the human condition is that we’re pretty good at interpreting the world in self-serving ways.”

A long-standing mystery about the Holocene has a potential solution.

It makes it all the more difficult to stop new infections.

The new Rival blasters use physics to give skilled shooters an unexpected advantage.

Furry pets have been a near-constant presence in the president’s office, and that’s a good thing.

Planetary systems are not supposed to form like this.

The craft will go very fast and may someday transport soldiers into battlefields of the future.

The majority of shark species are threatened with extinction, and overfishing is the main culprit.

And should you watch it while you work?

Knowing when enough is enough is a great editing skill.

Training, motivation, and luck are key to a long athletic career.

Learn how to live as a bookworm, even with a busy schedule.

A century ago, a Czech playwright coined the word to refer to oppression of the working class.

Marine biologists think one species of jellies may hold some clues to reversing aging.

Thunderstorms happen above the clouds, too.

Studies are scarce, but experts still recommend them wholeheartedly.

This 72-hour plan will buy you enough time to wait for search and rescue to arrive.

Here’s everything you need to know this week.