Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 7)

A digital scan of copper alloy ring theorized to have ties to a man named Pilate next to a sketch of the ring's details
Archaeology

Ancient ring supposedly tied to Pontius Pilate may include a typo

Translating Greek to Latin was difficult, even 2,000 years ago.

a soft rand clear robot that is shaped like a ring
Robots

Bracelet-shaped robot just keeps jumping

LeBron James needs to jump 540 feet in the air to meet Ring Leaper's heights.

Image of NGC 7253, which features two spiral galaxies colliding into one another
Deep Space

High school students spot two spiral galaxies colliding in Hawaiian constellation

The team named NGC 7253 ‘Nā ʻUhane Māhoe Huki Pū i ke Ola,’ or ‘The Twin Spirits Pulling Together Creating Life.’

a mother bear stands up on two hind legs and walks into the water, with two cubs following her
Bears

Katmai brown bear cubs learning how to ‘walk on water’ to nab salmon

Bear #284 (aka Electra) is part of a bear lineage that teaches their offspring this unique fishing style.

Man use fumigation machine for kill mosquito carrier of Zika virus and dengue fever prevention on Summer season outdoors
Diseases

In a drier world, some infectious diseases are unexpectedly thriving

Researchers are beginning to untangle how the “drought-disease paradox” works.

NGC 3938 is a face-on spiral galaxy whose orientation gives us an unobstructed view of its disk. X-ray emissions from Chandra (magenta) detail energetic X-ray binaries and supernova remnants scattered across dust lanes in an optical image (white, blue and gold) from Adam Block with Mt. Lemmon Observatory. Face-on orientations are important for galactic studies because they provide the most unobstructed views of a galaxy’s stars and gas.
Solar System

16 glistening galaxies shine in new images form NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory

Spiral, elliptical, and irregular galaxies all stand out in this new collection.

video game-esque recreation of pompeii's main forum
Archaeology

Explore what Pompeii looked like before catastrophic eruption

See gladiators fight in the amphitheater and Mount Vesuvius explode.

A 3D LIDAR scan of the interior of a cafe bathroom in New York City
Science

Restroom Archive gives public bathrooms their due

The unique corner of the internet features 3D scans of nearly 100 lavatories from around the world.

REI labor day sale items on grass
Outdoor Gear

The 89 best REI Labor Day deals, from a $16 sock to a $1,499-off e-bike

The massive outdoor retailer only throws a couple huge sales every year. These Labor Day deals on gear, apparel, and more are worth your time and money.

Front and back of 1894 Barber Dime
Science

One of the rarest dimes in the U.S. sells for $1.25 million

Only nine Barber Dimes from 1894 are known to still exist.

a bobcat caught in a house
Drones

Home-intruding bobcat no match for police drone

After its brush with technology, the wild feline was released back into the wild.

an eagle stands on a perch
Land

California Wildlife Day to honor beloved bald eagle Jackie

a bird with white and black feathers flies over the water with a fish in its beak
Birds

Tweet! Here are the winners of the 2026 Audubon Photography Awards

Contestants from the U.S., Canada, Chile, and Colombia highlight how birds connect us across continents.

Woman resting in pool with arms crossed to show smartwatch
Fitness & Exercise

Your smartwatch may be overestimating calories burned by 25 percent

‘You can't treat the calories burned number it gives you as an accurate number, because it's not.’

Female pet owner petting her dog on meadow. Healthy lifestyle with pet. Wellbeing and emotional support. Dog training concept.
Cats

Why do humans use ‘baby voice’ when we speak to pets?

Why do we do this? And do pets even care?

Vintage portrait headshots of different men and women on a yellow background.
Evolution

What shapes your personality? Your genes and environment play a big role.

But the ratio of each is up for debate.

a small fish with silver and rainbow scales
Pollution

These fish rely on teamwork to find food in murky water

‘It is good to know that the fish can respond to these big changes.’

This frame grab from an AFP TV video shows a small female black bear tranquillized on the ground as wild bear experts Akiko Takii (R) and Shinshu University professor Shigeyuki Izumiyama collect blood and fur samples for academic research in Ina, Nagano Prefecture, on July 14, 2026, before the researchers weigh and measure the bear, believed to be about 18 months old, before releasing it back into the wild. The process of trapping, tagging and releasing the animals is part of a pioneering management plan launched in 1995, as authorities realised the bear population was shrinking in the mountainous region in the centre of Japan's Honshu island. And it is becoming part of a model of coexistence in the region that some experts believe is an alternative to the dominant practice of culling the animals in an effort to prevent attacks. (Photo by Harumi OZAWA / AFP) / To go with AFP story Japan-animal-bears, FEATURE by Harumi Ozawa
Bears

Japan’s continuing bear problems can’t be solved by culling alone

Roughly 14,000 bears killed during the last fiscal year, but more humane measures are also effective.

3D reconstruction of the Sabazios vase piece, which is 160mm long. Credit: Universitat de Girona
Archaeology

Two-headed snake pottery suggests ancient Roman mystery cult spanned over 2,000 miles

The skyfather Sabazios had fans.

Devices on sale for Labor Day at Amazon
Gear

Amazon’s Labor Day sale has 98 deals worth your time (including the lowest price ever on Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones)

Amazon has dropped prices across the board on everything from outdoor gear and kitchen gadgets to home electronics and more.