Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.
The surprising science behind Japan’s vending machine obsession
The country’s machines can serve hot ramen, spot fake coins, and even withstand earthquakes.
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How do you tag the world’s biggest fish? Fins and flexibility.
Marine biologists are studying the Atlantic’s whale sharks to understand their gathering spots.
Looking back on iPhone 4S: The device that finally convinced the photography world that smartphones were “real cameras”
By 2011, the iPhone was already a photographic force to be reckoned with, but the 4S era was a huge step toward its current dominance.
‘Rock of Starvation’ reappears in Budapest during historic drought
Seeing this hunger stone in the Danube River is not a good sign.
Microduck is a robot built to fall down—and learn new tricks
The lampshade-sized robot comes with a simulated twin that uses reinforcement learning to acquire new skills.
Scalable robot fish can easily swim in a creek or lake
Engineers designed three different robot fish to explore different bodies of water.
For ancient Romans, pooping was a group activity
Imagine shared sponges, open seating, rats, and the occasional burst of fire.
‘Proof by Underpants’ offers a cheeky way to test soil
Over 2,000 pairs of cotton underwear were buried in Switzerland in the name of science.
Indigenous nations in present-day Georgia may have enjoyed cacao
The chocolate ingredient likely made its way from the southwest via extensive ancient trade networks.
Over 2,000 animals spotted off the coast of Cape Cod
Whale sharks and blue whales and rays, oh my.
Butterfly wing crystals inspire new eco-friendly glitter
What better way to honor Dolly Parton?
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Popular 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.
Daily, Popular Science unpacks the science behind the top current new stories, dissects the latest technology and digital trends, and helps readers live smarter, safer, and happier through clever DIY projects.
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