Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 754)

a firefly sitting on a leaf
Pollution

Humans are putting fireflies at risk of extinction

A new study identifies three major threats to these beautiful bugs.

A ginger cat with its eyes closed and chin tucked up
Cats

We’re surprisingly bad at reading cats’ facial expressions

An interactive quiz lets people measure their skills, while collecting behavioral data for animal welfare and science.

Totto Renna illustration
Physics

Ranked: the loudest sounds ever measured

These graphs show just how bombastic volcanoes and meteorites can be.

We have no idea how dangerous football really is
Health

We have no idea how dangerous football really is

Is there a scientific case for banning the sport?

A lab with pipettes
Vaccines

A small coronavirus breakthrough could aid in the search for a vaccine

With viral proteins, scientists can start to develop antigens over many months.

A young asian woman stands in an airport holding a passport
Health

The U.S. is barring foreign nationals who’ve traveled to China, due to Wuhan virus. Experts disagree.

Travel bans are not always as useful as they sound.

A closeup image of the sun's surface
Sun

These close-up photos of the sun could help us forecast space weather

The biggest solar telescope ever will help link together and streamline solar physics theories.

Fans at a giant concert
Climate Change

How musicians like Radiohead and Massive Attack are making their tours less stressful on the environment

Concertgoers are part of the problem—and the solution.

Person playing with snow
Weather

What the happiest cold-weather countries on the planet know about winter

Ease your seasonal slump with this international recipe for winter cheer.

artist rendition of jellyfish with implants
Fish

Bionic jellyfish can swim three times faster

A gentle zap of electricity keeps these animals on the move.

A small rodent scurries across the snow.
Animals

Snow is the only thing keeping some plants and animals from freezing to death

There’s a secret refuge beneath the snow.

People climbing up a hill
Psychology

There isn’t much science supporting wilderness therapy for teens

Some programs swear by the pricey intervention, but the results are still up in the air.

For polar bears contending with climate change, it’s ‘survival of the fattest’
Bears

For polar bears contending with climate change, it’s ‘survival of the fattest’

How melting arctic ice has made life harder for lean polar bears.

Person upset at the airport his flight is delayed
Life Skills

Minimize travel hell with these apps and tools

Some call it being in transit. Some call it torture.

astronaut in space doing experiments with growing human organs.
Medicine

Space might be the perfect place to grow human organs

Researchers are developing 3D bioprinters about 200 miles above earth.

a doctor uses a tongue depressor to look down a child's throat
Diseases

Strep throat is figuring out how to beat our go-to antibiotics

The microbe is slowly but surely starting to fight back.

person lying on couch with blanket over them
Vaccines

You can get the flu twice in one year

And you’re more likely to this season.

purple coneflower up close in front of green prairie
Environment

For prairie flowers, fire is the ultimate matchmaker

Some like it hot.

Boeing 777x
Aviation

Boeing’s massive wing-folding 777x just flew for the first time

Here’s how the aircraft’s long wings and giant engines boost its efficiency.

a woman is about to bite into a giant leek, for some reason
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

The ‘chew chew cult’ is a Victorian diet fad that should really, really never come back

And other weird things we learned this week.