Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 804)

police at a protest
Weapons

How to protect yourself from rubber bullets—and why these ‘nonlethal’ weapons are so dangerous

In cities across the US, police have been shooting rubber bullets into crowds. Here’s how you can protect yourself.

artistic rendition of a dinosaur
Dinosaurs

Mummified ankylosaur offers a rare glimpse of a dinosaur’s last meal

Stomach contents from the armored dinosaur reveal it was grazing on a landscape recently scoured by fire.

a phone with the Apple Mail app visible, with some notifications
Tech Hacks

Dig up any old email in your inbox. Even if it’s in the trash.

Outsmart Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail.

wooden derby cars
Projects

Meet the dads who can’t quit pinewood derby racing—even after their kids are over it

Adults are in a league of their own when it comes to hand-crafted cars that lead the pack.

These two red dots are actually identical. Here’s how
Science

These two red dots are actually identical. Here’s how

It’s all thanks to the Ebbinghaus illusion.

prison gardens
Mental Health

Nature helps nurture relationships between incarcerated mothers and their children

How environmental psychology and therapeutic landscaping transformed one Iowa prison.

person using diabetes equipment to test their blood sugar
Diabetes

Sea snail venom could lead to better insulin for diabetics

A venomous sea snail that lives at the bottom of the ocean could be the key to superior insulin.

Hiker climbing a snowy mountain.
Life Skills

Nine traits that’ll keep you calm in a life-threatening situation

Mental toughness is the first line of defense when you’re faced with death.

A blue morpho butterfly spread out on a plant
Animals

We can soon thank butterfly tongues for better cancer treatments and vaccines

A closer look at the elaborate insects that have inspired engineers in countless ways.

people outside in masks
Health

You might not recognize your office when it reopens again

Here’s everything you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic this week.

Angler holding up a panfish.
Projects

A beginner’s guide to freshwater fishing

Choose the right bait and strategy to nab common species like rainbow trout and walleye.

suburb
Environment

The 160-year-old reason you’re obsessed with your lawn

Frederick Law Olmstead aimed to bring nature to suburban doorsteps. Instead he helped create a dead zone for wildlife.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule sits atop its Falcon rocket, ready to launch.
Space X

NASA and SpaceX pulled off their first rocket launch. Watch every second of it here.

The first crewed launch from American soil since 2011 went smoothly after the initial scrub.

people outside wearing face masks
Vaccines

Why only half of Americans say they would get a COVID-19 vaccine

Not enough people would elect to get vaccinated to create a protective herd immunity effect, a survey suggests.

space telescopes
Physics

Half the matter in the universe was missing. We found it hiding between galaxies.

It took the discovery of a new celestial phenomenon and entirely new telescope technology.

Louis Armstrong playing a trumpet
Science

Time isn’t real. Here’s how people capitalized on that.

Louis Armstrong and Albert Einstein showed that hours, minutes, and seconds can be stretched by perception and experience.

Laptop
Tech Hacks

Fixing your computer is easier if you know which numbers to look at

The numbers... what do they mean?

SmartICE team
Climate Change

Inuit researchers are leading a scientific movement to understand life on the ice

A new Canadian initiative puts traditional knowledge and modern tech to work for climate science and social justice.

dinosaur illustration
Dinosaurs

Dinosaur cannibalism was real, and Colorado paleontologists have the bones to prove it

Some Allosaurus living in ancient Colorado weren’t picky eaters.

Olive Oil Martini
Projects

Five exquisite, easy martinis you can make at home

Steal the show at your next virtual happy hour with one of these five homemade “quarantinis.”