Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 772)

jones fire california
Environment

California and the Forest Service have a plan to prevent future catastrophic fires

In a recent agreement, officials committed to ramping up thinning and burning across the state.

a satellite image of storms approaching the US
Weather

Hurricane Laura will bring ‘unsurvivable’ storm surges to the Gulf of Mexico

The 2020 hurricane season is picking up steam.

The Brooks Range sets the backdrop for vital caribou feeding grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska.
Fossil Fuels

The Trump administration opened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil companies—but none may bite

Low oil prices, a pandemic-driven recession, and looming elections add up to highly unfavorable conditions for remote drilling operations.

Cuddled up pug.
COVID-19

How to help your pet with separation anxiety

Your buddy misses you when you're gone, so let them know you're coming back.

A person contemplates a wall of notes.
Science

Can you expose the truth in these two riddles?

Give your brain a workout!

Fully preserved woolly rhino named Sasha.
Animals

Climate change probably contributed to the woolly rhino’s rapid demise

The fuzzy blonde Pleistocene animals couldn't stand the heat.

light reading
Science

Why scientific papers are growing increasingly inscrutable

Overrun with acronyms, abbreviation-filled research hurts our scientific understanding.

pregnant person coffee doughnut
Health

Should pregnant people not drink coffee? The answer is complicated.

A new study says there's no safe amount of coffee to consume while pregnant, but that might not mean much to an individual.

vials of blood
COVID-19

Scientists may have confirmed you can catch COVID-19 twice

Here’s everything you need to know this week.

An artists interpretation of microquasar SS 433 and Fermi J1913+0515.
Black Holes

These two celestial bodies share a heartbeat, puzzling scientists

A black hole and a gas cloud pulse together in sync—but why?

Armored Roland Sands Design gear (Mia Jacket, Julian Pant, Bonnie Gloves), leather boots I can run in if I need to, fixed blade clearly visible, wind in my hair, and the beating drum of nature in my heart.
Motorcycles

How to travel solo, according to an adventurous biker

Lessons from a female rider who's covered 135,000 kilometers over three continents.

a lightning bolt.
Climate Change

Two of the largest wildfires in California’s history are burning right now

And fire season has just begun.

a wooden doll sitting on a toilet
Life Skills

How to figure out what’s wrong with your toilet—and then fix it

Don't flush your money away on a simple repair.

A solar installer
Renewables

California shut off power grids this week, but not because of clean energy

The state's grid operator has called for building more capacity for wind and solar, not less.

a person loading or unloading a dishwasher
Life Skills

Four tips to make sure your dishwasher does its job

There’s more to it than simply adding detergent and hitting “start.”

F-16
AI

Watch a computer clobber a human pilot in a simulated fighter jet duel

The DARPA event, focused on artificial intelligence and air combat, hints at one possible future for military aviation.

south island new zealand
Climate Change

Mummified leaves offer a glimpse of Earth’s ancient climate—and our future

The fossils hint at a period of high carbon dioxide levels.

intestines microflora
Cancer

Gut bacteria might flip the effects of a common cancer-causing mutation in an unexpected way

Antioxidants in mice can actually make their tumors worse.

With a dysfunctional postal service, much of the population would lose access to much needed medications.
Health

The Postal Service helps keep millions of Americans alive and well

Many rely on the mail for delivery of prescriptions and disease testing.

Head trip maze
Science

This maze has three solutions. Can you solve them all?

Give your brain a wee workout with this puzzle.