Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 757)

A person spraying a can of WD40 in a garage.
Life Skills

20 ingenious uses for WD-40

It’s basically a greasy genie in a bottle.

A captive Gila monster in a glass case with its purple tongue sticking out
Wildlife

When scientific pursuits become death sentences

Biologists spend long periods of time around the organisms they study. Sometimes that exposure has unintended effects.

young girl wearing covid-19 mask
COVID-19

The CDC says COVID-19 is no match for two masks

Here’s everything you need to know this week.

Unreal Engine's MetaHuman Creator interface with model
Technology

Meet the eerily realistic digital people made with Epic’s MetaHuman Creator

The interface looks a lot like a video game and the results are impressive.

mardi gras decorations in new orleans
COVID-19

Can Louisiana’s COVID surge trace back to one Mardi Gras reveler?

A new preprint study suggests that last year’s Mardi Gras celebrations were responsible for roughly 50,000 COVID-19 cases across the state.

A man in a gray t-shirt removing or putting on a surgical face mask by only touching the ear loops.
COVID-19

Why you shouldn’t ever wear your mask around your neck

Proper mask care is key to ensuring yours works effectively.

a woman getting ready to get on a mass transit subway
Pollution

Air pollution in US subway stations is disturbingly high

New York City is the worst offender.

A helicopter flying at sunset.
Aviation

This surprisingly common flight issue contributed to Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash

People are told to trust their senses. Pilots can’t always do that.

A Black middle-aged individual talking on a smartphone in a cafe
Vaccines

One big hiccup in US efforts to distribute COVID-19 vaccines? Poor internet access.

Broadband-starved neighborhoods and seniors on their own have fewer avenues to pandemic resources.

Audi e-tron electric car on the charger
Electric Vehicles

Audi’s e-Tron GT charges up fast, but turns even faster

The fastest version will do 0-60 in 3.1 seconds.

A model in a wine-red cutout dress on a beach
Social Media

Tech-savvy fashion forecasters already know what you’ll be wearing in two years

A combination of AI and creativity translates our cultural values into colors and shapes.

A baby red fox with its mouth open in a grassy field
Animals

What does the red fox say?

Put your Wes Anderson notions behind you.

Naked woman statue in garden.
Archaeology

What archaeologists got wrong about female statues, goddesses, and fertility

Our modern ways of understanding gender don’t always prevail in history.

Person filling up water bottle at kitchen sink with tap water.
Projects

Simple, at-home tests can check your air and water for contaminants

There are more options than ever.

A mallard hen and drake perched on a concrete embankment near a city.
Wildlife

Four wild animals that are thriving in cities

Cougars in Los Angeles? Coyotes in Chicago? Meet the new neighbors on the block.

A running water faucet
Security

Hackers accessed a Florida water treatment plant’s system and tried to make a dangerous change

They tried to raise the sodium hydroxide levels to dangerous amounts.

lake palcacocha glacial lake
Global Warming

A looming climate disaster threatens the lives of 6,000 Peruvians

The deadly Lake Palcacocha might burst through its dam.

honeycomb in a plastic bag
Bees

Bee theft is almost a perfect crime—but there’s a new sheriff in town

Meet the man on the front lines of the ultimate bee sting.

Chinese parents and kid have a meal in their dining room
Science

Learning a second language early might have ripple effects throughout your life

Research shows that adults who grow up bilingual hold onto certain cognitive skills.

Preview of Google's Green Room video chat feature
Technology

Google’s new Green Room feature gets you camera-ready before video meetings

Get a better look—and listen—to yourself before you hop into that video conference.