Read the latest articles from Popular Science (Page 846)

climate change soil water plant carbon modeling
Climate Change

Even carbon-hungry plants can’t save us from climate change

If these soils could talk, they'd spell doom.

birth control pill calendar
Health

The way we take the pill has more to do with religion than science

Having a monthly "period" while on the pill is far from necessary

how to use your phone as a remote control
Tech Hacks

How to control your TV with your smartphone

How is it that you always know where your phone is and never know where the Roku remote is?

a vintage coca-cola ad
The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week

The weirdest things we learned this week: the sweetest-smelling butts, flaming birds, and 40 barrels of coke

Our editors scrounged up some truly bizarre facts.

Accessing health records on your iPhone is a dream and a nightmare
Health

Accessing health records on your iPhone is a dream and a nightmare

Owning your personal health data can come at a cost.

Cold season flu prevention folklore strategies
Health

Three common cold myths you should stop spreading

Replace these “folklore strategies” with facts.

Smog Los Angeles cloud seeding response
Pollution

To combat smog, Thailand made it rain

Cloud seeding could reduce particulate matter over Bangkok.

Marie Kondo
Psychology

The KonMari method sparks the most joy when you tweak it

Not everyone has Marie Kondo to watch over them.

Two-stroke pipe
Motorcycles

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about motorcycle exhaust

Cycle World's Kevin Cameron breaks it down.

a drawing of a black hole
Black Holes

Supermassive black holes sometimes go on feeding frenzies—here’s how they know it’s time for dinner

They’re called “supermassive” for a reason.

a woman tickles a smiling baby
Science

Here’s why you can’t tickle yourself

Your brain knows the difference.

don't flush these things down your toilet
Pollution

14 things you should never flush down the toilet

Remember the four Ps.

three mannequins lying face down in a field
Insects

Is body paint a good insect repellent? The answer lies in this field of sticky mannequins.

Don't put the DEET down quite yet.

van on the road
Life Skills

#VanLife isn’t as hard as you think. You don’t even need a van.

Hit the road with these smart vagabond tips.

a big blue planet
Solar System

Planet Nine might not actually be a planet

It could be something even cooler.

Android apps
Tech Hacks

12 essential apps for any Android phone

The picks you need.

baby getting vaccinated
Vaccines

The anti-vax movement is among this year’s top 10 global health threats

Also making the list: air pollution, dengue fever, and antibiotic resistance.

squirrel in the snow
Evolution

Do wild animals hate being cold in winter?

And why are so many dogs wearing snow boots?

Hafthor Bjornsson elephant bar
Engineering

Building a barbell for 1,000 pound deadlifts takes careful engineering and lots of testing

The Rogue Fitness Elephant Bar is built to bend.

death valley national park
Conservation

Some national parks won’t recover from the government shutdown for decades

Joshua Tree and other deserts house sensitive soil crust communities.