Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 718)

artist representation of Tanystropheus
Animals

This ancient reptile had a super long neck to sneak up on unsuspecting fish

Reconstructions of fossil skulls reveal Tanystropheus was an aquatic ambush predator.

The finished boat hooked up to Riti's trailer
Projects

This DIY-er found a boat he liked in the PopSci archives. Then he built it.

A long-time fan shares his ideas on how to upgrade a 72-year-old design.

A box of yellow and red onions
Food Safety

The onions in your kitchen could give you food poisoning

Toss the onions and pick up some scallions.

cows in a pasture
Gene Editing

Gene-edited cows could make meat more sustainable. But would people eat it?

Between health concerns and regulatory red tape, it's going to be a while before buyers see modified beef at the store.

Zoom party
COVID-19

How to host a virtual party that’s absolutely lit

Ce-le-brate good times (safely and socially distant), come on!

The blast at the Port of Beirut from August 4 seen on a rendered satellite map.
Military

Why the Beirut blast created a mushroom cloud

While the city's residents don't have to worry about radiation poisoning, other toxins may be lurking in the air.

big lightning strike
Global Warming

This worst-case climate scenario might be the most realistic

Climate scientists are still debating what's the most likely outcome, though none of them are looking good.

canopy trees
Climate Change

Young trees have special adaptations that could save the Amazon

Juvenile trees in the Amazon rainforest have an increased ability to perform photosynthesis while under drought conditions.

Muti illustration
Psychology

How Disney fools your brain to make lines feel magically short

Happily ever after you move through the queue.

satellite view of tropical storm arthur 2020
Global Warming

The 2020 hurricane season might be one of the worst in decades

Over the past four decades, the chance of tropical storms developing devastating winds has grown more likely.

A National Park mountain range against clear blue and lightly clouded skies overlooking a wooded forest area.
Wildlife

The Great American Outdoors Act proves that grassroots advocacy and democracy still work

With dedicated funds from Congress, we can start to fix our national parks and set aside new green spaces for wildlife and public uses.

Baseballs sitting in a grassy field.
Physics

Hitting a baseball is the hardest skill to pull off in sports. Here’s why.

A unique blend of physics and neuroscience makes the skill astronomically difficult.

a man doing a strength exercise on a playground
Life Skills

Stretching is not the key to moving better. This is.

Improving your mobility will help reduce pain.

Family sitting and talking.
Mental Health

How to talk to kids about the coronavirus and other bad news

They might know more than you think, but starting the conversation is tricky.

Devon Island in the Canadian arctic Archipelago.
Mars

Ancient valleys may hold clues to past life on Mars

Understanding whether the Red Planet’s past was warm and wet or cold and icy can offer insights about whether it was ever habitable.

Starry night.
Space

A night in the life of a professional stargazer

There are fewer exchanges with aliens than you’d expect.

Neo Tokyo
Weapons

Japanese anime remembers the atom bomb, decades after Hiroshima

The trauma resurfaces in movies, shows, and comics over and over, showing its deep impression on Japanese families and culture.

Founded in 2017, ClearMask makes plastic face guards for surgeons and other medical practitioners. Now it's turning its attention to pandemic equipment.
Health

Clear masks help the hard of hearing, but they could benefit everybody

As mask wearing becomes the new norm, people who rely on facial expressions and lip reading risk further isolation.

Thales mine system
Military

This robotic maritime bomb squad keeps humans a safe distance away

Thousands of mines lurk in the oceans, and dealing with them is dangerous.

satellite image of hurricane isaias
Climate Change

Hurricane Isaias marks one of the earliest hurricane seasons ever

The record-breaking storm lashed the Southeast US before working up the mid-Atlantic and Northeast.