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Silly bear cub wins award for being terrible at hide-and-seek
The baby bear’s mom won the 2026 Mama Bear Award, so it will learn—eventually.
This lava planet shouldn’t have an atmosphere—but it does
TOI-561 b may be a supercharged version of Venus or Jupiter’s moon, Io.
A three-legged cougar named Crimson is thriving in Arkansas
The rescued wildcat’s leg was amputated after a foot injury, but that isn’t slowing him down.
In 1828, serial killers sold their victims’ bodies to science
Edinburgh’s medical schools needed bodies. William Burke and William Hare had a horrifying solution.
2026 Gifts of the Year: Perfect presents for anyone on your list
No matter who you’re shopping for, these editor-approved products will make you a gift-giving legend this year.
Parents of premature newborns can have more skin-to-skin contact with new device
The ‘Skincubator’ is undergoing its first trials in the United States.
Read censored texts from around the world at this Minecraft library
‘The Uncensored Library’ houses suppressed content from 9 countries—including the U.S.
The 2026 Mama Bear Award goes to a black bear with a mullet
Osso fought off another bear named Scuba Sue to win this year’s award from the USDA Forest Service.
Earth’s first fully-marine amphibian stalked the seafloor with a chunky, bony body
‘Gerrothorax maritimus’ lived about 237 million years ago, when parts of China were covered by an ocean.
Family finds World War II grenade in grandfather’s basement
Fall cleaning gave the Michigan residents an unexpected surprise.
Spending in‑person time with friends is the biggest predictor of whether college students flourish
Students who spent more hours socializing with friends, attending student organizations and participating in cultural events tended to report feeling an overall sense of well-being.
Celebrate the flavors of fall with three spicy recipes
A new book offers a history lesson with every spice.
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Browse all coversPopular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. We explain the inner workings of the phone in your pocket, explore world-changing innovations, and examine everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of staples like bread. We deliver an engaging, approachable, and inclusive look at emerging technologies and scientific advances.
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