Popular Science

Popular Science

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Consumer-focused science reporting on health, fitness tech, and applied human performance.

One Man’s Obsessive Quest to Weigh the Human Soul
NewsApr 19, 2026

One Man’s Obsessive Quest to Weigh the Human Soul

In the early 1900s physicist Duncan MacDougall attempted to weigh the human soul by measuring weight loss at the moment of death. Using a bedside scale, he reported a loss of roughly three‑quarters of an ounce—about 21 grams—when a terminal...

By Popular Science
There’s a Helpful Translation Tool Hidden in Your iPhone Messages
NewsApr 18, 2026

There’s a Helpful Translation Tool Hidden in Your iPhone Messages

Apple has integrated real‑time language translation into the iOS Messages app, using the built‑in Apple Translate engine and the new Apple Intelligence AI framework. Users on iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max and later models can enable an "Automatically Translate" toggle to see side‑by‑side...

By Popular Science
Tinkerer Transforms a Filthy 1990s PlayStation Into the ‘Ultimate PS1’
NewsApr 18, 2026

Tinkerer Transforms a Filthy 1990s PlayStation Into the ‘Ultimate PS1’

Elliot Coll, a Retro Future YouTuber, bought a non‑functional 1994 PlayStation on eBay and transformed it into what he calls the “ultimate PS1.” He stripped the dusty console, removed prior hacks, and installed a PicoStation ZeroWire board for SD‑card game...

By Popular Science
Hawaiian Forest Birds Are Stealing Each Other’s Twigs
NewsApr 18, 2026

Hawaiian Forest Birds Are Stealing Each Other’s Twigs

Researchers documented kleptoparasitism among native Hawaiian forest birds by monitoring over 200 canopy nests on the Big Island. The study, published in *The American Naturalist*, shows apapane both stealing from and being stolen from most frequently, with 10% of thefts...

By Popular Science
Rare Rotting-Flesh Smelling Flower Blooming at a Massachusetts College
NewsApr 17, 2026

Rare Rotting-Flesh Smelling Flower Blooming at a Massachusetts College

A rare titan arum, nicknamed “Pangy,” has flowered at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts, marking the plant’s first bloom in roughly six years. The massive inflorescence, which can tower up to 12 feet, emits a pungent odor that mimics rotting flesh...

By Popular Science
How Audi’s Electromechanical Progressive Steering Works
NewsApr 17, 2026

How Audi’s Electromechanical Progressive Steering Works

Audi’s ninth‑generation A6 arrives with a 6‑cylinder, 362‑hp engine, a 14.5‑inch OLED screen and a standard 4K dashcam. The highlight is its electromechanical progressive steering, which changes the steering ratio through variable tooth spacing in the rack. Coupled with standard...

By Popular Science
Not All Naked Mole-Rat Queens Go Out in a Blaze of Bloody Violence
NewsApr 15, 2026

Not All Naked Mole-Rat Queens Go Out in a Blaze of Bloody Violence

A six‑year study of a laboratory naked‑mole‑rat colony revealed that queen succession can occur without violence when the colony faces stressors such as overcrowding and relocation. Researchers observed a dominant queen lose fertility, after which a subordinate female gradually assumed...

By Popular Science
Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? It Isn’t Just Cute.
NewsApr 15, 2026

Why Do Dogs Tilt Their Heads? It Isn’t Just Cute.

A 2025 study of 103 dogs found head‑tilting spikes when owners speak familiar words with enthusiasm, suggesting the gesture is a cognitive response to language rather than mere cuteness. Brain imaging shows the left hemisphere lights up for known words,...

By Popular Science
How to Refresh Your Phone without Upgrading It
NewsApr 15, 2026

How to Refresh Your Phone without Upgrading It

Smartphones inevitably slow as apps accumulate and storage fills, prompting many users to consider a new device. However, a series of simple maintenance actions can restore performance and extend the phone’s usable life. By removing unused apps, limiting background activity,...

By Popular Science
3D-Printed Suitcase Includes Foldout Table, Cup Holder, and a Secret Snack Compartment
NewsApr 14, 2026

3D-Printed Suitcase Includes Foldout Table, Cup Holder, and a Secret Snack Compartment

Inventor Matty Benedetto 3D‑printed a suitcase packed with a flip‑up table, MagSafe phone holder, snack jar, gimbal coffee cup holder and hidden AirTag compartment. The exterior was printed in sections and assembled with metal dowels and glue, while standard hinges,...

By Popular Science
New Spider Named for Pink Floyd Devours Bugs 6x Its Size
NewsApr 14, 2026

New Spider Named for Pink Floyd Devours Bugs 6x Its Size

Scientists in Colombia have described a new crevice‑weaver spider, *Pikelinia floydmuraria*, named after Pink Floyd’s album *The Wall*. The tiny 3‑4 mm arachnid lives on building walls and murals, building webs near streetlights to capture insects. Despite its size, it can...

By Popular Science
Meteorologists Predict a Fairly Chill 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season
NewsApr 14, 2026

Meteorologists Predict a Fairly Chill 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season

Colorado State University’s Tropical Meteorology Project predicts a subdued 2026 Atlantic hurricane season as a strengthening El Niño dominates the climate pattern. The 41‑page forecast projects 13 named storms, six hurricanes and only two reaching Category 3 or higher, cutting the major‑hurricane...

By Popular Science
Candy Now Tastes Different. It’s Not Just You.
NewsApr 14, 2026

Candy Now Tastes Different. It’s Not Just You.

Brad Reese, grandson of Reese’s creator, accused Hershey of altering the classic Peanut Butter Cups recipe, alleging swaps of real milk chocolate for compound coatings and peanut butter for a creme. Hershey responded that core Reese’s products remain unchanged, but...

By Popular Science
Why You Never Forget How to Ride a Bike
NewsApr 12, 2026

Why You Never Forget How to Ride a Bike

The article explains that riding a bike persists because it is stored as procedural memory, a distinct long‑term memory system that relies on the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Unlike episodic or semantic memory, procedural memory is hard‑wired and degrades slowly,...

By Popular Science
This $400 MacBook Pro Still Has Plenty Left in It
NewsApr 12, 2026

This $400 MacBook Pro Still Has Plenty Left in It

The refurbished 2020 13‑inch MacBook Pro is on sale for $399.99, a steep discount from its $1,580 original price. It ships with a 10th‑gen Intel i5, 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, offering enough power for everyday productivity and...

By Popular Science
How to Stop Your Smart TV From Tracking You
NewsApr 11, 2026

How to Stop Your Smart TV From Tracking You

Popular Science published a step‑by‑step guide for consumers to curb data collection on modern smart TVs. It outlines universal tactics—such as disconnecting Wi‑Fi or using a guest network—and brand‑specific settings for LG, Samsung, Sony, and Roku to disable advertising IDs...

By Popular Science
Armor Buried Under Japanese Temple Linked to Ancient Korean Kingdom
NewsApr 10, 2026

Armor Buried Under Japanese Temple Linked to Ancient Korean Kingdom

Archaeologists have linked a 1,400‑year‑old suit of armor found beneath Japan’s Asuka‑dera temple to the Baekje Kingdom of ancient Korea. The armor, uncovered in a 1957 excavation, was re‑examined with X‑ray and 3D imaging in 2015, revealing a lamellar construction...

By Popular Science
Robot Birds Deployed in Grand Teton National Park for Sexy Time
NewsApr 10, 2026

Robot Birds Deployed in Grand Teton National Park for Sexy Time

Rangers in Grand Teton National Park have deployed robotic sage‑grouse decoys to stimulate breeding among a dwindling population that has dropped by an average of 2.3% per year since the 1960s. The project, led by the Wyoming Game and Fish...

By Popular Science
Why Humans Don’t Have Tails
NewsApr 10, 2026

Why Humans Don’t Have Tails

Humans and other great apes lost their tails during the Miocene, roughly 20‑30 million years ago, as their ancestors diverged from tailed monkeys. Fossil evidence, especially the reduced sacrum of genera like Ekembo and Nacholapithecus, shows that the vertebral structure...

By Popular Science
Proto-Mammals Laid Eggs, Paleontologists Finally Confirm
NewsApr 9, 2026

Proto-Mammals Laid Eggs, Paleontologists Finally Confirm

Researchers published definitive proof that early mammal ancestors laid eggs, based on a 250‑million‑year‑old Lystrosaurus fossil from South Africa. Synchrotron X‑ray CT scanning revealed an unfused lower‑jaw symphysis, indicating the specimen was an embryo still inside a soft‑shell egg. The...

By Popular Science
Study: Google’s AI Overviews Show Millions of Wrong Answers Every Hour
NewsApr 8, 2026

Study: Google’s AI Overviews Show Millions of Wrong Answers Every Hour

A New York Times‑cited study by the open‑source AI firm Oumi finds Google’s AI Overview delivers correct, reputable summaries nine out of ten times, but with more than five trillion searches projected in 2026 this equates to tens of millions...

By Popular Science
513 Humpback Whales Gather at Massive Caribbean Breeding Ground
NewsApr 8, 2026

513 Humpback Whales Gather at Massive Caribbean Breeding Ground

Scientists aboard the research yacht M/Y Solace recorded 513 humpback whale sightings in a single day at Navidad Bank, a shallow coral formation 62 miles off the Dominican Republic. The aggregation highlights the dramatic rebound of the species, which has...

By Popular Science
Why You Can’t See Space Junk in Artemis II Photos
NewsApr 7, 2026

Why You Can’t See Space Junk in Artemis II Photos

Artemis II completed its historic lunar flyby and released striking images of Earth and the Moon, yet none show the growing cloud of orbital debris. The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office notes that most junk resides 466‑621 miles above Earth and is...

By Popular Science
6 Famous People with Animals Named in Their Honor
NewsApr 7, 2026

6 Famous People with Animals Named in Their Honor

The article highlights six well‑known personalities—Stephen Colbert, Queen Victoria, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Barack Obama and David Attenborough—who have multiple animal or plant species named after them. It cites examples ranging from a wasp, a trapdoor spider and a diving beetle for Colbert, to a whole...

By Popular Science
Grab Amazon’s Most Popular Telescope for Just $96 While Artemis II Orbits the Moon
NewsApr 7, 2026

Grab Amazon’s Most Popular Telescope for Just $96 While Artemis II Orbits the Moon

As Artemis II circles the Moon, Amazon is slashing prices on entry‑level telescopes. The popular Gskyer 70 mm refractor is now $96.99, down from $129.99, offering a solid starter optic with a smartphone adapter. Celestron’s StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ, a 130 mm Newtonian...

By Popular Science
Is ‘Lab-Grown’ Meat Actually Safe?
NewsApr 7, 2026

Is ‘Lab-Grown’ Meat Actually Safe?

In 2023 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the first lab‑grown chicken for sale after it passed safety assessments. Cultivated meat is produced by culturing animal cells in bioreactors, yielding a product nutritionally close to conventional meat but with...

By Popular Science
Skechers Just Dropped Prices on Its Best Walking Shoes for National Walking Month
NewsApr 6, 2026

Skechers Just Dropped Prices on Its Best Walking Shoes for National Walking Month

During National Walking Month, Skechers launched a sitewide promotion offering either 20 % off a single pair or a buy‑one‑get‑one‑50 % off deal across its GO WALK lineup. The sale includes the Venus slip‑on now priced at $79.99 (down from $100) and premium...

By Popular Science
How to Rescue an Old Laptop by Installing Linux on It
NewsApr 6, 2026

How to Rescue an Old Laptop by Installing Linux on It

Installing a lightweight Linux distribution on an aging Windows laptop can dramatically improve speed and usability. Linux’s open‑source nature means the OS is free, regularly updated, and runs with far lower system demands than Windows. Popular lightweight distros such as...

By Popular Science
A ‘Forbidden Planet’ the Size of Jupiter Has Astronomers Stumped
NewsApr 2, 2026

A ‘Forbidden Planet’ the Size of Jupiter Has Astronomers Stumped

Astronomers have identified TOI-5205 b, a Jupiter‑sized exoplanet located about 282 light‑years from Earth, using NASA’s TESS mission. Spectroscopic transits reveal an atmosphere dominated by methane and hydrogen sulfide but surprisingly deficient in heavy elements, while computer models suggest its interior...

By Popular Science
Ancient Roman Bone Penis Discovered in Forgotten Museum Box
NewsApr 2, 2026

Ancient Roman Bone Penis Discovered in Forgotten Museum Box

Archaeologists at the Valkhof Museum in Nijmegen uncovered a 7.8‑inch bone phallus dating to 1,800‑2,000 years ago, the first known example of a Roman bone penis. The artifact emerged from one of 16,000 unopened storage boxes, of which only 300...

By Popular Science
These Tiny Fish Climb Waterfall Cliffs for 10 Hours
NewsApr 2, 2026

These Tiny Fish Climb Waterfall Cliffs for 10 Hours

Biologists have documented that the tiny shellear fish Parakneria thysi climbs the 50‑foot cliffs of Luvilombo Falls in the Democratic Republic of Congo, spending up to ten hours on the ascent. The fish use hook‑like fin projections and lateral body...

By Popular Science
What’s a Brain Freeze and Why Do They Happen?
NewsApr 2, 2026

What’s a Brain Freeze and Why Do They Happen?

A brain freeze, or ice‑cream headache, occurs when cold rapidly cools the roof of the mouth, causing blood vessels to constrict then dilate. This vascular shock activates sensory neurons linked to the trigeminal nerve, which misinterprets the signal as pain...

By Popular Science
Pee Changes How some Mushrooms ‘Talk’
NewsApr 1, 2026

Pee Changes How some Mushrooms ‘Talk’

Japanese mycologists discovered that the electrical communication of ectomycorrhizal mushrooms changes dramatically when exposed to water or urine. By attaching electrodes to 37 mushrooms in an oak forest, they recorded real‑time signal fluctuations over 3.5 days. Adding water to a...

By Popular Science
500-Million-Year-Old Spider Relative Has Claws Where It Shouldn’t
NewsApr 1, 2026

500-Million-Year-Old Spider Relative Has Claws Where It Shouldn’t

Harvard paleontologists have identified a 500‑million‑year‑old fossil, Megachelicerax cousteaui, that sports a pair of frontal claws where Cambrian arthropods normally have antennae. The three‑inch sea predator is the oldest known chelicerate, pushing the group’s origin back by roughly 20 million years....

By Popular Science
Do Water Picks Really Work? Dentists Weigh In.
NewsApr 1, 2026

Do Water Picks Really Work? Dentists Weigh In.

Water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, have become a common fixture in American bathrooms since their commercial debut in the 1960s. Dental experts, including UCSF’s Dr. Diana Nguyen, endorse them as a useful adjunct for patients who struggle with...

By Popular Science
PFAS Are Toxic and They’re Everywhere. Here’s How to Stay Away From Them.
NewsMar 31, 2026

PFAS Are Toxic and They’re Everywhere. Here’s How to Stay Away From Them.

Per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of roughly 9,000 man‑made chemicals, have been detected in 97% of Americans and are linked to immune disruption, developmental issues, fertility problems, liver damage, and various cancers. These "forever chemicals" persist for more...

By Popular Science
The Best Way to Watch the Artemis II Launch Is on C-SPAN
NewsMar 30, 2026

The Best Way to Watch the Artemis II Launch Is on C-SPAN

C-SPAN is providing free, all‑day coverage of NASA’s Artemis II launch from April 1 through April 5, offering TV, web, YouTube, radio and mobile streams. The mission will send four astronauts—including the first woman, the first person of color, and the first non‑U.S....

By Popular Science
From Memory Cards to SSDs: How Long Will Your Digital Media Storage Actually Last?
NewsMar 29, 2026

From Memory Cards to SSDs: How Long Will Your Digital Media Storage Actually Last?

Physical media remains popular, but its durability pales compared to digital storage solutions. The article outlines typical lifespans for common devices—HDDs (3‑5 years), SSDs (5‑10 years or more), NAS units (3‑5 years), USB flash drives (10+ years when stored well),...

By Popular Science
Chattanooga Is the United States’ First National Park City
NewsMar 28, 2026

Chattanooga Is the United States’ First National Park City

Chattanooga, Tennessee, has become the United States’ first National Park City, joining a global movement that designates urban areas as nature‑focused destinations. The title follows a multi‑year application process that highlighted the city’s transformation from a heavily polluted industrial hub...

By Popular Science
JBL’s Boombox 3 Drops to $300 and the Tour Pro 2 Earbuds Hit $140 During Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
NewsMar 27, 2026

JBL’s Boombox 3 Drops to $300 and the Tour Pro 2 Earbuds Hit $140 During Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

Amazon's Big Spring Sale slashes JBL prices, with the Boombox 3 now $299.95—a $200 discount—and the Tour Pro 2 earbuds at $139.95, 44% off. The promotion also includes deep discounts on PartyBox, Charge 6, and a range of JBL headphones...

By Popular Science
Student Discovers New Galápagos Bird, Solving a Decades-Old Mystery
NewsMar 27, 2026

Student Discovers New Galápagos Bird, Solving a Decades-Old Mystery

A graduate student at San Francisco State University identified the Galápagos lava heron as a distinct species, overturning its previous classification as a subspecies of the South American striated heron. The discovery, published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, was based...

By Popular Science
Squirrels Love Almonds, and Will Work Harder to Get Them
NewsMar 26, 2026

Squirrels Love Almonds, and Will Work Harder to Get Them

Researchers at the University of Exeter observed that wild gray squirrels consistently choose to climb higher for almonds rather than settle for readily available pumpkin seeds. In more than 4,000 trials, the rodents demonstrated a clear preference for the higher‑value...

By Popular Science
Giant Armadillo, Mastodon, and Sloth Fossils Found in Flooded Texas Cave
NewsMar 26, 2026

Giant Armadillo, Mastodon, and Sloth Fossils Found in Flooded Texas Cave

University of Texas paleontologists John Moretti and John Young reported a trove of Pleistocene megafauna fossils recovered from Bender’s Cave in central Texas. The water‑filled cavern yielded remains of giant ground sloths, mastodons, ancient camels and a massive pampathere weighing...

By Popular Science
Sperm Loses Its Sense of Direction in Space
NewsMar 26, 2026

Sperm Loses Its Sense of Direction in Space

Researchers at Adelaide University simulated microgravity using a 3‑D clinostat and found that sperm from mice, rats and humans lose their directional ability in a maze mimicking the female reproductive tract. Under zero‑gravity conditions, successful navigation dropped sharply and fertilization...

By Popular Science
The Sea Monster Goes ‘Bloop’—Or Does It?
NewsMar 26, 2026

The Sea Monster Goes ‘Bloop’—Or Does It?

In 1997 NOAA’s hydrophone network captured an ultra‑low‑frequency, extremely loud underwater sound dubbed the “Bloop,” heard across sensors spaced over 3,000 miles. Initial speculation ranged from a giant sea creature to shifting ice, but acoustic analysis later matched the signature...

By Popular Science
Sewer Line Workers Stumble on Viking Ship Timber
NewsMar 25, 2026

Sewer Line Workers Stumble on Viking Ship Timber

Work on a sewer line southeast of Amsterdam was halted after crews uncovered a timber slab over 10 feet long, likely belonging to a Viking‑era ship from the 9th century. The find could become Wijk bij Duurstede’s first archaeological ship‑timber discovery, linking...

By Popular Science
Amazon Is Clearing Out Eero Mesh WiFi Routers for 30% Off During Its Big Spring Sale
NewsMar 25, 2026

Amazon Is Clearing Out Eero Mesh WiFi Routers for 30% Off During Its Big Spring Sale

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is slashing prices on eero mesh Wi‑Fi systems. The eero 6 3‑pack drops to $139.99, a 30% discount, while the high‑end eero Max 7 3‑pack falls to $1,249.99, 26% off, and several eero Pro 7 and outdoor bundles are...

By Popular Science
The Best Smart Home Deals at Amazon’s Big Spring Sale: Connected Locks and Security Cameras up to 57% Off
NewsMar 25, 2026

The Best Smart Home Deals at Amazon’s Big Spring Sale: Connected Locks and Security Cameras up to 57% Off

Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is offering steep discounts on a range of smart‑home gear, with prices slashed up to 57 percent. Flagship bundles such as the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus with Floodlight Cam are now $164.99, half their original price,...

By Popular Science
Japan Makes Breakthrough in Dirty Diaper Recycling
NewsMar 25, 2026

Japan Makes Breakthrough in Dirty Diaper Recycling

Japanese hygiene giant Unicharm has refined a recycling loop that turns used disposable diapers into raw materials for new products. The process, already piloted in Shibushi and Osaki, cleans, shreds, and separates plastic, fabric pulp and super‑absorbent polymer, then applies...

By Popular Science