diff --git "a/raw_rss_feeds/https___www_popsci_com_rss_xml.xml" "b/raw_rss_feeds/https___www_popsci_com_rss_xml.xml" --- "a/raw_rss_feeds/https___www_popsci_com_rss_xml.xml" +++ "b/raw_rss_feeds/https___www_popsci_com_rss_xml.xml" @@ -1,35 +1,15 @@ -Popular Sciencehttps://www.popsci.comen-USSat, 24 Jan 2026 03:13:13 -0500WordPress 6.9hourly1<![CDATA[Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim]]>‘Nature seems to have already solved the problem.’

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The post Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/stringray-robot-swimming/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731771Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:35:00 -0500ScienceBiologyEngineeringRobotsTechnologyTo help figure out what makes stingrays such unique and unusual swimmers, a team of mechanical engineers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) created a wavy robotic fin. After submerging the robot in underwater tunnels designed to mimic swimming near the sea floor, their tests indicate that different types of ray species may have evolved alternative swimming techniques that best suit their setting. Specifically, the findings suggest that some ray species swimming near the seafloor adjust the way their fins move and tilt to counter a downward force that would otherwise pull them toward the ground. 

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It turns out that stingrays gracefully gliding along waves near seabeds aren’t doing it to look cool. Instead, the fancy flapping is likely an evolutionary adaptation for stability and durability while swimming. The team behind the mechanical fin believes those same principles could one day be applied to designing energy-efficient underwater mapping robots. And they aren’t alone in admiration for rays. Other researchers are already attempting to use insights from stingray swimming to develop stealthier next-generation underwater vehicles. 

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The robotic fin study was published this week in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

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Putting stingray swimming to the test  

- +Popular Sciencehttps://www.popsci.comen-USMon, 02 Feb 2026 06:20:11 -0500WordPress 6.9hourly1<![CDATA[Caterpillars use tiny hairs to hear]]>Experiment in one of the world's quietest rooms reveals the hairs detect airborne sounds—like predators.

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The post Caterpillars use tiny hairs to hear appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/caterpillars-hair-hearing/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732266Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:08:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyEvolutionInsectsScienceWildlifeHave you ever walked into a room full of caterpillars? While the answer for most people is probably no, those of us who have may have noticed the insects reacting to the sound of your voice. That’s what happened to Carol Miles, a biologist at Binghamton University in New York. 

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When it comes to swimming, not all ray species are alike. Massive manta rays and other pelagic ray species tend to hover near the ocean surface using a flapping motion. Benthic rays, like stingrays who spend their time in more shallow waters, rely on a different undulating movement which often resembles the motion of the very waves they’re swimming in. This second wavy swimming style in particular has fascinated scientists for its apparent simplicity and efficiency. Past research on that swimming method has shown that the undulating motion used by stingrays actually appears to recycle energy from surrounding water more efficiently than brute-force fin flapping.

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a chart showing ways stingrays swim, with their fins up, to the side, or alternating
Varying styles of stingray fin movements. Image: Yuanhang Zhu/UCR.
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UCR mechanical engineer and paper co-author Yuanhang Zhu had a hunch that the divergence in swimming styles might stem from the different environments ray species inhabit. To test that theory in controlled environments, the team set out to create the robotic fin. By testing the fin under different conditions, the researchers could observe how physical forces in the water affected its movement. The final fin design measured only 9.5 millimeters (about 0.4 inches) thick and was molded from silicone rubber. They also constructed a large water tunnel designed to simulate ocean flow.

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“Every time I went ‘boo’ at them, they would jump,” she explained in a statement. “And so I just sort of filed it away in the back of my head for many years. Finally, I said, ‘Let’s find out if they can hear and what they can hear and why.’” 

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During their experiments, the team placed the robot both near the surface of the tunnel and lower, closer to the artificial sea floor. In both cases, they were looking to see how various levels of ocean flow impact the amount of lift imparted on the fins. Understanding lift is important because it  plays a key role in determining whether or not objects moving through space can stay level.  For example, birds flying close to the ground experience positive lift keeping them more level and steady. The researchers expected to see something similar occur for the robotic ray swimming near the sea floor. Instead, the exact opposite happened. Their robot was being sucked downwards.

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Miles and the team brought tobacco hornworm caterpillars (Manduca sexta) into a room that is among the world’s most silent—the university’s anechoic chamber. Inside of this silent room, the team could precisely control the sound environment, as they worked to pinpoint what sounds trigger the bugs.

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“This wasn’t what we expected,” Zhu said in a UCR blog post. “Instead of gaining extra lift near the ground, the rays were pulled downward. 

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The team understood that caterpillars had reactions, but were not sure if it was to airborne sounds or the base’s sound vibrations they can feel with their feet. Because caterpillars often hang out on plant stems, the team had speculated that perhaps they picked up on sounds because of the plant’s vibration.

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Surprised by the findings, the team made slight adjustments to the robot to try compensate for the negative lift. They found that the downward force could be reduced simply by tilting the robot fin upward by a few degrees. Extrapolating out from that, the researchers suggest that stingrays and other benthic rays naturally swim with a slight upward fin angle, something that wasn’t clear before. During testing with, the stingray-like undulating motion also consistently maintained better clearance from the seafloor than the flapping motion used by pelagic ray species.

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In the anechoic chamber, researchers can deliver sound and vibration independently of each other and understand the kind of response they solicit. They studied the caterpillars’ response to airborne sounds and surface vibrations at high- (2000 hertz) and low-frequency (150 hertz) sounds. 

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“Nature seems to have already solved the problem,” Zhu added. 

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The researchers found that caterpillars perceive both, though they had a 10- to 100-fold greater reaction to airborne sound compared to the surface vibrations that they sensed through their feet. 

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Robots and underwater vehicles of the future

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two students stand over a machine testing it while two advisors look on
Graduate students Aishwarya Sriram and Sara Aghazadeh test caterpillars for their ability to detect sound under the guidance of Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering Ronald Miles and Associate Professor of Biological Sciences Carol Miles at the anechoic chamber in the Engineering and Science Building at the Innovative Technologies Complex. Image: Greg Schuter.
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This isn’t the first time engineers have tried to apply a ray’s unique biology to the world of robotics. In 2018, engineers from UCLA designed a 10 millimeter long tissue-based stingray-style robot made up of a mix of heart cells and flexible electrodes. Researchers from Harvard made an arguably even stranger stingray biohybrid robot in 2017, powered by rat muscles and propelled forward by a propulsion system triggered by light. 

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The next step was figuring out how they were hearing the sounds, and to do that, the team removed some of their hairs. While that might seem like an odd strategy, many insects perceive sound through hairs that detect how it moves the air. In fact, the team’s caterpillars were less sensitive to sounds after they lost hair on their abdomen and thorax. Miles and her colleagues’ theory is that the tobacco hornworm’s hearing might be evolutionarily tuned to detect the wing beats of predatory wasps. 

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Elsewhere, researchers at the University of Washington are already exploring ways to apply stingray swimming techniques to next generation underwater vehicles. Ultimately, they  hope to adapt rays’ structural characteristics to create vehicles that are both more energy-efficient and quieter than current submarines and submersibles.

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Back in the world of human hearing, their research could play a role in microphone technology. 

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When it comes to designing mechanisms of the future, the natural world remains undefeated. 

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The post Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Halley’s comet may need a new, medieval name]]>Astronomers suggest the honor should go to an 11th century monk known for a disastrous flying attempt.

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The post Halley’s comet may need a new, medieval name appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/halleys-comet-new-name/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731765Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:51:47 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceSpaceOne of most recognizable comets in astronomy may require rebranding. But even if everyone continues to call the famed space rock Halley’s comet, some researchers say an eccentric 11th century monk deserves at least some credit. According to a review of historical materials including the famous Bayeux tapestry, a team from Leiden University in the Netherlands believes it makes more sense to name the icy space rock in honor of Aethelmaer of Malmesbury—a member of the Order of Saint Benedict who also lived with an ill-fated fascination with flying.

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The findings were presented at a joint meeting of the Acoustical Society of America and the Acoustical Society of Japan in December 2025.

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Every 76 years, a comet from the depths of our solar system reaches its nearest point to Earth. Its orbit is anything but new, however. Chinese observers recorded the appearance of a bright light traveling from east to north in the night sky as far back as 240 BCE, while Roman historian Cassius Dio described a similar sounding event in 12 BCE. It wasn’t until 1705 that the English astronomer Edmond Halley concluded that these regularly returning sights weren’t different objects, but a single comet traveling along a predictable trajectory. Today, his discovery is reflected in both the comet’s everyday name as well as its official classification, 1P/Halley.

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“There’s an enormous amount of effort and expense on technologies for detecting sound, and there are all kinds of microphones made in this world. We need to learn better ways to create them,” added Ronald Miles, a co-author of the study and a Binghamton University mechanical engineer. “And the way it’s always been done is to look at what animals do and learn how animals detect sound.”

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The post Caterpillars use tiny hairs to hear appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Groundhogs don’t poop during hibernation and 6 other random facts]]>Shadow or no shadow, the rodents have a special set of ecological skills.

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The post Groundhogs don’t poop during hibernation and 6 other random facts appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/groundhog-facts/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732203Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyScienceWeatherWildlifeDespite advances in meteorological technology, we still keep a close eye on a rodent’s burrow every February 2 for a weather forecast. While groundhogs—also called woodchucks—have been associated with the end of winter and beginning of spring for centuries, there’s more to know about our rodent friends than their amateur Al Roker’ing. 

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But if one really wanted to name the comet after the first person in England to note its significance, some astronomers recommend the honor goes to Aethelmaer of Malmesbury. Also known as Eilmer, the Benedictine monk was already an elderly resident of his abbey when Halley’s comet returned in 1066 CE. However, that particular sighting was of special importance because it’s documented on the famous (and bawdy) Bayeux tapestry. The 770-pound scroll depicts the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings, during which William II invaded England from Normandy, France. The embroidered art also illustrates William II’s victory, as well as his short-lived reign before the last Anglo-Saxon king died in battle.

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No pee or poop

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King William should have seen his demise coming, according to the medieval omen experts of his era. Halley’s comet appeared not long after he assumed the throne, and everyone at the time knew such cosmic sightings warned of impending disaster. Everyone including the monk, Eilmer. 

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Unlike bears, groundhogs are true hibernators. During hibernation, they don’t eat and rely on the fat stores they have built up and go into a deep and full sleep during the winter. 

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Simon Zwart, an astronomer at the Leiden University in the Netherlands, realized this while reviewing the writings of the 12th century chronicler, William of Malmesbury. According to William, when Halley’s comet brightened the sky in 1066 CE, it also jotted Eilmer’s memory. The monk recalled first seeing the same event about 76 years earlier in 989 CE.

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“They don’t wake up and walk around, go to the bathroom or anything like that,” Karen McDonald, STEM program coordinator at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center in Maryland tells Popular Science. “The waste is actually being recycled in their body.”

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Based on this account, it technically wasn’t Edmond Halley who first proposed that the comet was making regular reappearances. Then again, it’s somewhat understandable why Eilmer’s claims didn’t gain more traction. After all, this was the monk who is otherwise best known for attempting to fly after reading the Greek myth of Daedalus as a child. To test his own theories, young Eilmer strapped a set of makeshift wings to his hands and feet, then jumped off a tower at Malmesbury Abbey. The confident—if misguided—leap of faith broke both his legs and incapacitated him for the rest of life.

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When they are awake in the spring, summer, and fall, groundhogs use restroom chambers in their burrows to limit odors and fecal contamination in their main chambers. They also reduce their metabolism, heart rate, and breathing rate. As a result, the little waste they create in their blood is recycled chemically into their body. 

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“He used to relate as the cause of his failure, his forgetting to provide himself a tail,” his friend William later wrote.

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The post Halley’s comet may need a new, medieval name appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Lowe’s is blowing out this Craftsman cordless string trimmer with battery and charger for just $29 while they last]]>You may not be thinking about lawn care right now, but for $30, this deal is worth grabbing and sitting on until spring.

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The post Lowe’s is blowing out this Craftsman cordless string trimmer with battery and charger for just $29 while they last appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/craftsman-string-trimmer-power-tool-deals-lowes/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731757Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:20:55 -0500GearHomeEven if your yard is currently frozen solid, spring cleanup has a way of arriving faster than your motivation. Lowe’s has the Craftsman V20 13-inch cordless string trimmer kit marked down to $29. That’s not a typo: you’re getting the trimmer plus a 2Ah battery and charger for less than the price of Triple Dippers for two at Chili’s. It’s a great tool for cleaning up sidewalks and getting tough grass where the mower can’t reach.

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During the winter, their body temperature also can drop from around 100 degrees Fahrenheit to around 40°F. Their heart rate slows from about 80 beats per minute to as low as four to five and about 16 breaths per minute. They also lose up to half their body weight. 

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If you want to keep shopping, there are also some surprisingly aggressive markdowns on other V20 tools (including a $39 high-velocity fan) and a bunch of garage/workshop gear. Everything we pulled from the sale pages is linked below.

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Move over, meerkats

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In addition to a chamber for storing waste, a groundhog burrow system may include separate areas for sleeping, nesting, and raising young. It may also have multiple entrances for ventilation and rapid escape should a predator arrive. However, something is missing.

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Craftsman V20 20V Max 13-in cordless string trimmer kit (2Ah battery + charger) $29.00 (was $129.00, 78% off)

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“Their burrows do not have the food storage or a kitchen, because they are the pantry. They’re the ones storing the food,” McDonald explains.

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Groundhog burrows have the same configuration no matter the season and they are also considered important ecosystem engineers. 

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Yard and seasonal gear

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“Their burrows can end up providing habitat for multiple apartment dwellers. You may find a box turtle or a rabbit family or other animals living there,” says McDonald. “It creates these habitats but also changes the soil chemistry because they’re digging and they’re mixing up the soil.”

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In the United States, the legend goes that various groundhogs can predict if spring will arrive early or if there will be six more weeks of winter weather. While there is no evidence that groundhogs can forecast the weather, they can use sunlight to tell when it is time to wake up closer to spring.

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V20 power tools and kits

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They rely on the photoperiod, or the number of consecutive hours of light in a 24-hour period, as an environmental cue. As the hours of sunlight increase towards the spring, it signals the end of winter.

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The results revealed that people with Gryffindor or Slytherin personalities were more likely to say they wanted to start a business.

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Tool sets and hand tools

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@clipseries90 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire#harrypotter #film #tiktok #voldemort #fypシ ♬ sonido original – ClipSeries
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Understanding entrepreneurial character matters beyond business, Obschonka says. People with rule-challenging personalities also appear in politics and public institutions, and their attitudes toward rules can shape decisions that affect society as a whole.

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Garage and workshop setup

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In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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The post A Harry Potter quiz may predict your career prospects appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[11 stunning finalists for the Youth Photographer of the Year prize]]>From showy peacocks to flying BMXers.

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The post 11 stunning finalists for the Youth Photographer of the Year prize appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/youth-photographer-of-the-year-shortlist-2026/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732277Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:01:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsPhotographyTechnologyWildlifeYoung people have a different perspective on our world, both literally and figuratively. Their eyes see things differently and if you hand them a camera, you might understand more.

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  • Craftsman 2000 Series 32-in freestanding steel garage cabinet (red) $259.00 (was $349.00, 26% off)
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    The Sony World Photography Awards has announced the talented photographers shortlisted in the 2026 Student and Youth competitions. The Student competition features images from university students, while the Youth prize goes to photographers aged 19 and younger.

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    a horse and rider entered the water, using an over-under perspective to show both environments in a single frame.
    “Between Two Worlds”
    This photograph was taken in Çeşme, İzmir, Turkey, during a coastal swim. The photographer captured the moment a horse and rider entered the water, using an over-under perspective to show both environments in a single frame.
    Copyright: © Doğa Ergün, Türkiye, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    Aakash Gulzar, a finalist for Student Photographer of the Year, submitted a series of images titled “Kotar’baaz.” The series (seen below) documents the Indian-administered pigeon keepers of Kashmir across rooftops, shrines, and markets in Srinagar. “It’s a story of love, patience, and the enduring spirit of a place that refuses to lose its soul,” Gulzar says.

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    The Student Photographer of the Year and Youth Photographer of the Year will be announced on April 16, 2026, at ceremony in London.

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    Owais, 23, works full-time as a caretaker for over a thousand pigeons in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 15, 2025, more than 100 kilometers away from his home. Employed by a local businessman who owns the prized birds, Owais spends his days feeding, cleaning, and tending to their needs. “It’s exhausting at times, ” he says, “but I’ve grown attached to them. This is what I want to do; I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
    “Kotar’baaz”
    Owais, 23, works full-time as a caretaker for over a thousand pigeons in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on April 15, 2025, more than 100 kilometers away from his home. Employed by a local businessman who owns the prized birds, Owais spends his days feeding, cleaning, and tending to their needs. “It’s exhausting at times,” he says, “but I’ve grown attached to them. This is what I want to do; I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
    Copyright: © Aakash Gulzar, India, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Aakash Gulzar
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    Visitors gather near the Dargah Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on Feb. 28, 2025, often pausing to photograph the pigeons that move freely through the courtyard. Across the city’s mosques and shrines, the birds share space with worshippers in quiet ease.
    “Kotar’baaz”
    Visitors gather near the Dargah Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on Feb. 28, 2025, often pausing to photograph the pigeons that move freely through the courtyard. Across the city’s mosques and shrines, the birds share space with worshippers in quiet ease.
    Copyright: © Aakash Gulzar, India, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Aakash Gulzar
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    Suspiria de Profundis engages Jean-Paul Sartre’s proposition that meaning arises from nothingness, requiring meaning to be formed through experiences. The tactile, analogue nature of this series guides the viewer towards a deeper, more intuitive encounter with their own existential orientation. Perhaps, this may even tune the audiences towards a shared understanding of spaces and places in time. The images in Suspiria de Profundis evoke relic-like atmospheres and gothic unease, inviting sustained reflection on the human condition.
    “Suspiria de Profundis”
    Suspiria de Profundis engages Jean-Paul Sartre’s proposition that meaning arises from nothingness, requiring meaning to be formed through experiences. The tactile, analogue nature of this series guides the viewer towards a deeper, more intuitive encounter with their own existential orientation. Perhaps, this may even tune the audiences towards a shared understanding of spaces and places in time. The images in Suspiria de Profundis evoke relic-like atmospheres and gothic unease, inviting sustained reflection on the human condition.
    Copyright: © Matte Dixon, Australia, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    man holds fish balloons in river
    “The River Without Fish”
    The fish belong in the river, but the river is gone. A man stands in the water, while balloons shaped like dolphins float above, a parody of joy. Nature is replaced by plastic, survival is presented as celebration. Urbanisation turns rivers into markets, creatures into commodities, and memory into something fleeting.
    Copyright: © Jubair Ahmed Arnob, Bangladesh, Shortlist, Student Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026 Jubair Ahmed Arnob
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    a bmx rider performing a backflip; simultaneously capturing the landing of a plane behind them, giving the illusion of a plane propelling the rider forward.
    “Cruce Imposible”
    Taken during a BMX freestyle event in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jane Mozzi shot this image while the rider was performing a backflip; simultaneously capturing the landing of a plane behind them, giving the illusion of a plane propelling the rider forward. Mozzi loved this photo because of the perfect timing of this unique moment, captured in one single take.
    Copyright: © Jane Mozzi, Argentina, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    Mount Fuji framed through the autumn leaves that surround lake Kawaguchi, with an admirer looking on. +
    “Autumn’s Frame Around Mount Fuji”
    Mount Fuji framed through the autumn leaves that surround lake Kawaguchi, with an admirer looking on.
    Copyright: © Riley Shickle, United Kingdom, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    A modern triangular sculpture frames the Great Pyramid, accented by bold red fabric and a field of mirrors. The photographer sought to capture the harmony between the stark lines of the installation and the ‘eternal shape of the pharaoh’s tomb’, creating a ‘geometric interplay of past and present’.
    “Triangle Frames”
    A modern triangular sculpture frames the Great Pyramid, accented by bold red fabric and a field of mirrors. The photographer sought to capture the harmony between the stark lines of the installation and the ‘eternal shape of the pharaoh’s tomb’, creating a ‘geometric interplay of past and present’.
    Copyright: © Abdallah Islam, Egypt, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    red-eyed tree frog in the Costa Rican rainforest, perched along a narrow leaf,
    “Red-Eyed Watcher”
    Keira Pereira encountered this red-eyed tree frog in the Costa Rican rainforest, perched along a narrow leaf, motionless against the darkness of the night. Using controlled artificial light, the photographer isolated the frog to emphasise its alert posture, vivid eyes, and delicate grip, capturing the stillness of nocturnal life in the rainforest.
    Copyright: © Keira Pereira, Canada, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    a peacock
    “Keep it Clean!”
    Perched gracefully on a sturdy branch, a majestic peacock surveys its surroundings against a glowing golden backdrop, scanning the landscape for any signs of danger. Between watchful glances, it gently preens its feathers, maintaining its regal appearance.
    Copyright: © Jeirin Anton, Sri Lanka, Shortlist, Youth Competition, Sony World Photography Awards 2026
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    The post 11 stunning finalists for the Youth Photographer of the Year prize appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>en-US<![CDATA[These rare, giant millipedes only exist in Florida]]>When a graduate found a baby Florida scrub millipede, she put it in a kiddie pool. Then it got busy reproducing.

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    The post These rare, giant millipedes only exist in Florida appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/florida-scrub-millipede-discovered-grad-student/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732231Sat, 31 Jan 2026 11:17:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyConservationScienceWildlifeWhile Florida is perhaps best known for its beaches and wetlands, its landscape hosts other notable features: ridges. Millions of years ago, sea levels were higher than they are today, and these elevated areas of land became like islands. The species living on these ridges evolved in complete isolation, so the area is now packed with native animals that don’t exist anywhere else. 

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The earliest and tallest of these unique systems is the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. It’s home to the Florida scrub millipede (Floridobolus penneri), one of North America’s biggest millipedes. This rare and little-known arthropod is unique to the Sunshine State, and can reach up to four inches in length. It moves with over 100 legs and mostly lives underground and comes out at night.

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Big-shop basics: saws, sanders, vacs, and more

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Apparently, they’re also picky when it comes to making babies. At least, the ones in the care of Anne Sawl—a graduate student in conservation biology at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg—seemed to be. It wasn’t until she put them in a kiddie pool with plants from the ridge that she found an offspring.

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    a woman holds a large millepede in her hand
    Graduate student Anne Sawl cares for dozens of rare Florida scrub millipedes in a USF St. Petersburg lab, where the arthropods recently reproduced and their offspring are now being raised. Image: University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
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    “One day, I was moving dirt near the roots of the plant and noticed a tiny white speck,” Sawl explained in a statement. “It caught my eye. I picked it up and realized it was a baby millipede. After so much trial and error in the lab, I was completely flabbergasted that they had reproduced.”

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    Maybe the millipedes weren’t used to so much attention. After all, they hadn’t been scientifically surveyed in almost 20 years. Within this context, Sawl’s research into the Florida scrub millipede’s population numbers and spread is providing new information that could aid  future conservation endeavors.. 

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    The endemic species is believed to be threatened by major habitat loss. Researchers estimate that human activity has destroyed 85 percent of the Lake Wales Ridge’s natural habitat from before humans settled there, according to Sawl. 

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    several large millipedes in a clear tank
    About 32 Florida scrub millipedes were born and are now thriving in their lab habitat on the St. Pete campus.  Image: University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
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  • Craftsman 3A corded oscillating multi-tool kit (10-piece) w/ case $89.00 (was $109.00, 18% off)
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“Anne has taken a group of animals most people overlook and produced multiple chapters of publishable research with brand new information,” added  Deby Cassill, a professor of integrative biology at the University of South Florida and Sawl’s adviser. “Millipedes might not be glamorous, but they are ecological champions in these fragile habitats.”

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Tankless water heaters

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Florida scrub millipedes play an important role in nutrient recycling—or rather, their digestive system does. They turn their plant meals into a crucial source of nutrients, according to Sawl. Yes, we’re talking about their poop. 

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The post Lowe’s is blowing out this Craftsman cordless string trimmer with battery and charger for just $29 while they last appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Forgotten, priceless medieval book found in school library]]>The hermit and mystic Richard Rolles was basically a bestselling author in the Middle Ages.

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The post Forgotten, priceless medieval book found in school library appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/medieval-book-found-school-library/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731723Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:52:03 -0500ScienceArchaeologyFor generations, a misidentified medieval manuscript was hidden in a 474-year-old English boarding school’s library. After a careful new analysis, a medieval literature researcher can confirm the manuscript is actually the oldest and only known edition of Richard Rolle’s The Emending of Life (Emendatio vitae) written in its original Latin.

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February 1: Full Snow Moon

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Who is Richard Rolle?

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This month’s full moon falls on the very first day of the month, which means we were only one day away from one of the rarest lunar phenomena: a month with no full moon at all! This can only happen in February—since it’s the only month shorter than a full lunar cycle—and last happened in 2018. There’s no agreed-upon name for this phenomenon, but since it’s the opposite of a blue moon—the second full moon in a month with two full moons—we rather like black moon.

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Most people today may not be familiar with Richard Rolle, but he was almost certainly the Late Medieval Era’s most widely read author. One of a handful of writers known as the Middle English Mystics, Rolle was born sometime around 1300 CE in Yorkshire, England, and spent the majority of his adult life as a hermit until his death in 1349, possibly due to the Black Death. 

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But anyway, there is a full moon this month, and appropriately enough, it’s called the Snow Moon, a name that will resonate with a whole lot of people in North America right now. As per the Farmer’s Almanac, the Snow Moon will creep into the winter sky at 5:09 p.m. EST on February 1, casting its pale light over the frozen landscape.

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To give a sense of Rolle’s popularity: over 650 surviving manuscripts contain his writings today. Compare that to around 144 similar archival pieces from Chaucer. His last work in English, The Form of Living, was his most popular at the time, but The Emending of Life would eventually become far more influential. Written in Latin, it was his most circulated book and detailed 12 stages of spiritual life. Think of it as a self-help book for the medieval reader.

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February 8: Alpha Centaurids Meteor Shower Predicted Peak

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“Medieval people struggled with distractions as we do today. They were trying to still their wandering minds,” Timothy Glover, a historian at the University of Bergen in Norway said in a recent profile. “Rolle offered practical strategies to help, and some people treated him like a saint for it.”

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The only meteors on offer this month are the Alpha Centaurids, which are predicted to peak on February 8. Unfortunately for those of us in the frozen north, it’s the Southern Hemisphere that’ll get the best view of these meteors. That’s because from north of the equator, the radiant point (the point from which the meteors appear to originate) never rises above the horizon. Still, that’s not to say that you won’t get lucky, but we don’t recommend waiting out in the cold all night for a glimpse of a shooting star if you are not below the equator where summer is in full force.

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The opening page of a chapter on prayer in Richard Rolle's Emendatio vitae. Credit: University of Cambridge -
The opening page of a chapter on prayer in Richard Rolle’s Emendatio vitae. Credit: University of Cambridge
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Yes, the moon really can affect your sleep

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The misidentification of ‘MS 25’

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February 28: Six Planets in Alignment

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Knowing there was likely more to learn about “Richard the hermit” (as he was known), Glover traveled to Shropshire, England, to visit the medieval archives at Shrewsbury School, a private educational institution founded in 1552.

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While the full moon fell on the first day of February, stargazers will have to wait until the very last day of the month for a genuine celestial highlight. But it’s one that’s worth waiting for: six planets in alignment! Four of the planets will be visible to the naked eye: gleaming Venus, fleeting Mercury, resplendent Saturn and, of course, big ol’ Jupiter. The remaining participants—distant cousins Neptune and Uranus—will be able to join the party via binoculars or a small telescope.

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“As a hermit, Rolle probably didn’t have a regular access to an institutional library and he rarely tells us what he’s been reading. To try to find out, I went looking for early copies of his work,” he explained.

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The planets will be strung low over the horizon about one hour after sunset, starting with Mercury in the west, hovering in the constellation Pisces. Venus will be visible nearby, with Saturn and Neptune clustered above. Jupiter will be visible just to the right of the moon, and Uranus will sit about halfway between Jupiter and the cluster of other planets, at the same elevation as the former.

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After later reviewing his photographs of a manuscript catalogued as “MS 25,” Glover noticed a passage at the end explaining “six different kinds of dreams.”

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All Month and Year

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“I’d seen something similar in one of Rolle’s English texts, The Form of Living, so I compared them and realised they were identical. That was my Eureka moment,” he said.

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There’s one other sight that might await those looking to the sky this month—and, indeed, for the rest of 2026. This year promises to be a banner year for the auroras borealis and australis. As per Time and Date, the reason lies with a solar phenomenon known as the coronal hole, when  the sun’s magnetic field allows large amounts of plasma to escape into the solar system. There’s also a relatively high chance of coronal mass ejections, the powerful geomagnetic storms that can bathe  much of the world’s night sky in ghostly light in the right conditions.

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Scholars first formally described MS 25 during the 1920s, but the work had actually resided in Shrewsbury since its donation to the library in 1607. In 2009, a study of all known remaining copies of The Emending of Life concluded MS 25’s extra passages were added later by an unknown person. According to Glover, the forensic reanalysis detailed in his recent work published in the journal Mediaeval Studies proves otherwise.

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Anyway, remember that you’ll get the best experience if you get away from any sources of light pollution, let your eyes acclimatize to the darkness, and check out our stargazing tips before heading off into the night.

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Rolle definitely did not handwrite this edition of The Emending of Life himself. Instead, it was produced the same way as almost every other book of the era—by painstakingly copying the text onto new parchment. However, unlike every other remaining version, MS 25 features Rolle’s full, unaltered original draft. But how could experts like Glover be so sure?

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Until next month!

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The post February stargazing: A planet parade comes to town appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[How a hobbyist’s hunch uncovered hidden Roman military camps]]>The finds are forcing historians to reconsider the extent of the Roman military's advance in Germany.

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The post How a hobbyist’s hunch uncovered hidden Roman military camps appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/roman-military-camps-germany/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732169Sat, 31 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500ScienceArchaeologyPhotographyTechnologyAn amateur archaeologist armed only with satellite imagery and a hunch helped uncover evidence that’s reshaping how historians understand the Roman Empire’s advance into present-day Germany in the third century CE. 

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Code word: melliphono

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In 2020, hobbyist Michael Barkowski was combing through aerial imagery available online, when he spotted an unusual formation near the town of Aken, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in northwestern Germany. Barkowski suspected that the large rectangular outlines and apparent ditches he was seeing could be signs of marching camps that were commonly deployed by Roman legions. Although remains of such camps have been identified elsewhere in Germany, historians had not found evidence of any this far north.

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According to the historian, the “smoking gun” is a single word: melliphono. Or, more accurately, a single, completely made-up word. It’s also one that appeared in multiple of Rolle’s works and nowhere else at the time.

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After Barkowski reported the sightings, professional archaeologists from Germany’s State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt conducted their own aerial surveys. Their findings confirmed Barkowski’s hunch—and then some. Subsequent surveys revealed not just one, but four Roman marching camps spread across towns in the state dating back to the 200s CE, according to Germany’s State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony. 

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“Melliphono is a very Rolle word,” said Glover. “He’s all about this idea of spiritual song and experience of angelic heavenly music being the highest experience of God. He had an enormous Latin vocabulary and creatively deployed a huge range of very specific terms for music to explain his ultimate experience of God.”

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The surprise findings, which the State Office calls an “archaeological sensation” carry major implications. Specifically, they suggest the Roman Empire may have advanced significantly further into Germanic territory than previously believed. They are also just the latest in a string of archaeological breakthroughs made possible by increased volunteer efforts and the widespread availability of modern aerial imagery.

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While more people will likely soon race to examine the major historical discovery, for now the unique copy has only been reread by a single individual.

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Entrance to the marching camp of Trabitz with the characteristic titulum in an aerial photograph. +
Entrance to the marching camp of Trabitz with the characteristic titulum in an aerial photograph. Image: GeoBasis-DE / LVermGeo ST, Datenlizenz Deutschland – Namensnennung – Version 2.0.
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“I’m the only person since the Middle Ages to have read this knowing that it’s Rolle’s original,” said Glover. “It’s such an important manuscript and it offers a direct connection with an author who deserves far greater recognition.”

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The post Forgotten, priceless medieval book found in school library appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[It’s not in your head. Fear drives decision making.]]>Dreading negative outcomes is six times more powerful than anticipating the positive ones.

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The post It’s not in your head. Fear drives decision making. appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/health/decision-making-fear/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731699Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:52:00 -0500HealthPsychologyScienceWe’re all guilty of putting off that big decision because our brains can’t stop focusing on potential negative outcomes. Dread shapes our decision making and new research published in the journal Cognitive Science explores why spinning those negative scenarios affects us more than the possible positive outcomes. 

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Roman soldiers left behind a smattering of camps 

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The team from the University of Bath in England and the University of Waterloo in Canada analyzed data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). This long-scale survey of roughly 10,000 households in the United Kingdom measures several economic, social, and psychological variables. The team looked at roughly 14,000 individuals between 1991 and 2024, tracking emotional responses to real-world economic choices including investing, changing jobs, or making health decisions.

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The Roman legion—the empire’s primary elite infantry unit—is often defined by its strict discipline and organization in battle.Their military camps weren’t any  different. Soldiers would establish the outposts at the end of a day’s march to serve as defensive positions during long military campaigns. Camps were typically rectangular with rounded corners and a gate adorning each side. Each camp was distinguished by titulum, (basically a low bank and ditch built just outside the main gate) to slow or stop an enemy’s advance. The camps varied in size, but a typical set up could house around 300 soldiers. A traveler walking through one of the camps would find the commanding officer’s tent located in the center.

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They found that this emotional imbalance of focusing more on the potential bad outcomes than the good ones plays a central role in shaping economic behavior. Survey participants who experience stronger negative than positive anticipatory emotions are significantly more likely to avoid risk. They found that the emotional impact of dread is more than six times stronger than the potential happiness they would feel from anticipating equivalent gains. Dread also makes people less likely to wait for delayed positive outcomes like a return on investment, even when that patience may lead to greater rewards.

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Historians have documented Roman camps scattered throughout much of the empire’s border regions, where the military conducted the bulk of its campaigns. This included large parts of present-day Germany, which the Romans began conquering around 13 CE under Emperor Augustus. Fighting there continued there for the better part of 30 years, before a major defeat forced a prolonged Roman withdrawal. Fast forward nearly 200 years later to the 3rd century, and Romans returned to the region, launching a new military offensive aimed at disrupting Germanic tribes that had grown larger and more organized.

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“Put simply, the emotional pain from anticipating a £10 (about $13) loss is far stronger than savoring the thought of a £10 gain,” Chris Dawson, a study co-author at the University of Bath who researches economics and decision making, said in a statement. “This imbalance shapes how much risk people are willing to take and how long they are prepared to wait, potentially influencing decisions across everyday life, from money and careers to health and wellbeing.”

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“The relationship between Romans and Germanic tribes was subsequently characterized by the defense against incursions into the Roman Empire, by punitive expeditions, but also by repeated contractual agreements and the settlement of Germanic tribes on Roman soil, as well as the payment of money in return for maintaining peace,” Germany’s State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony writes in a  press release. 

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The 100 life decisions people dread most, according to psychologists

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When faced with tough choices, your brain secretly tips the scales

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Why people insist they’re correct without all the facts

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How does your brain know something is real?

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Medieval plague victims likely found in mass grave in Germany

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800 ancient Roman blade sharpeners found in Britain

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Diarrhea slowed down Roman soldiers

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40,000 Roman-era coins discovered in French village

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Additionally, the study confirms that when outcomes are experienced, the losses loom larger than gains. The emotional sting of a loss was roughly twice as strong as that of an equivalent gain. According to the team, this research advances a new psychological theory that links risk and time preferences. This could help explain why those who are more risk-averse also tend to be more impatient.

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New camps sighting alter the historical record  

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“We see that risk avoidance and impatience are psychologically connected,” added study co-author and University of Waterloo psychologist Dr. Sam Johnson. “People try to avoid choices with possible negative outcomes and also prefer outcomes to be resolved sooner, in order to minimise the emotional burden they experience – the dread of anticipating bad news.”

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Although some historical records suggest that the late Roman advance may have reached as far north as the Elbe River, archaeologists had not found any physical remains to support those claims. That’s what made news of Barkowski’s initial finding so alluring to professional archaeologists. Once they confirmed the presence of the first camp in Aken, they expanded their search area and found a similar structure near Trabitz, roughly 170 miles to the south. A year later, follow-up aerial surveys identified another structure near Aken and one in Deersheim.

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The team also found a lot of variation between individuals. Some experience these anticipatory emotions before making a decision far more vividly than others, helping to explain why attitudes about both risk and patience differ so widely. Notably, anticipatory dread’s effects remained significant even after personality traits, mental health, income, and education were accounted for.

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Those findings paved the way for a series of large, on-the-ground surveys conducted between 2024 and 2025. A team of archaeologists walked over the camps, metal detectors in hand, in search of artifacts. It was a scientific gold mine—or more accurately, an iron mine. The team documented over 1,500 individual objects, most made of iron. 

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The authors believe that the findings have implications for understanding financial decision making, long-term planning, health choices, and other real-world behaviors. 

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6 Roman coins
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“The study helps to explain why people often postpone or avoid choices that are objectively beneficial in the long run,” said Dawson. “For example, individuals may delay or avoid medical screening if results take a long time to arrive. Even when screening reduces health risks, the dread of waiting for potentially bad news can discourage testing. Similarly, long waits in areas such as investment decisions can deter engagement simply by prolonging the emotional burden of uncertainty.”

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The post It’s not in your head. Fear drives decision making. appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Eating less ultraprocessed food supports healthier aging, new research shows]]>Ultraprocessed food makes up about half the calories of a typical American diet.

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The post Eating less ultraprocessed food supports healthier aging, new research shows appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/health/eating-less-ultraprocessed-food-supports-healthier-aging-new-research-shows/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731596Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:16:16 -0500HealthNutritionThis article was originally featured on The Conversation.

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The artifacts include a variety of Roman coins and an unusually large number of nails and bolts. Researchers believe that the nails and bolts were likely attached to the soles of soldiers’ sandals to increase traction. Radiocarbon dating of the objects places them in the early third century, which just so happens to coincide with a military campaign in Germany launched by Emperor Caracalla.

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Older adults can dramatically reduce the amount of ultraprocessed foods they eat while keeping a familiar, balanced diet – and this shift leads to improvements across several key markers related to how the body regulates appetite and metabolism. That’s the main finding of a new study my colleagues and I published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

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The newly discovered camps bring concrete physical evidence to theories that were previously only suggested by letters and indirect artifacts. And none of that would have happened if it weren’t for a curious hobbyist looking through images.

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The post How a hobbyist’s hunch uncovered hidden Roman military camps appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[King cobras take the train in India]]>Earth's largest venomous snakes are hitching a rides to places they don't belong.

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The post King cobras take the train in India appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/snakes-train-india/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732324Fri, 30 Jan 2026 15:23:15 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsConservationEndangered SpeciesTechnologyVehiclesWildlifeThe king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) isn’t a difficult snake to spot. A fully grown adult easily reaches over 13 feet long, making them the largest venomous snakes in the world. But despite their size and iconic appearance, at least one vulnerable species in India is sneaking aboard trains and accidentally arriving into new and dangerous habitats.

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Ultraprocessed foods are made using industrial techniques and ingredients that aren’t typically used in home cooking. They often contain additives such as emulsifiers, flavorings, colors and preservatives. Common examples include packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals and some processed meats. Studies have linked diets high in ultraprocessed foods to poorer health outcomes.

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In a study recently published in the journal Biotropica, researchers from Museum Liebnitz in Bonn, Germany, analyzed available verified local cobra reports and rescue records made between 2002 and 2024 in the Goa region of southwestern India. In all, they identified 47 encounters with the Western Ghats king cobra (Ophiophagus kaalinga) over 22 years. Beyond the danger of such meetings, there was a larger problem: the Western Ghats isn’t endemic to Goa.

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My team and I enrolled Americans ages 65 and older in our study, many of whom were overweight or had metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance or high cholesterol. Participants followed two diets low in ultraprocessed foods for eight weeks each. One included lean red meat (pork); the other was vegetarian with milk and eggs. For two weeks in between, participants returned to their usual diets.

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Herpetologist and firsthand volunteer king cobra rescuer Dikansh Parmar can personally attest to the issue. His 2017 encounter is one of his own study’s five separate snake sightings located on or near trains. Following additional interviews with local residents revealed the serpents were also spotted in villages and neighboring forests, but nowhere in the surrounding farmland.

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A total of 43 people began the dietary intervention, and 36 completed the full study.

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“With the increased global availability of low-cost smartphones and social media in recent years, the number of reports of snakes on and around trains in India has increased, with three incidents recorded in a 30-day period, and many more emerging on social media,” Parmar and his co-authors wrote.

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In both diets, ultraprocessed foods made up less than 15% of the total calories – a significant reduction from the typical American diet, where more than 50% of total calories comes from ultraprocessed foods. The diets were designed to be realistic for everyday eating, and participants were not instructed to restrict calories, lose weight or change their physical activity.

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Do Western Ghats King Cobras, Ophiophagus kaalinga, take the train? (a) View of Chandor Station, Goa, India, from below the platform, showing the vegetation and the concrete pillars, where the snake was found. This location is atypical and unsuitable for king cobras. (b) Laborer accommodations lie just a dirt path away from the concrete pillars where the king cobra was recorded. (c) The snake emerged from beneath a pile of railway tracks stored at the site for ongoing railway maintenance and repair. (d) An Indian Cobra (Naja naja) on a windowsill in the moving Lokshakti Express train near Valsad, Gujarat State, India. Photos by Dikansh S. Parmar (a, b), Sourabh Yadav (c), and Sameer Lakhani (d). Credit: Biotropica
Do Western Ghats King Cobras, Ophiophagus kaalinga, take the train? (a) View of Chandor Station, Goa, India, from below the platform, showing the vegetation and the concrete pillars, where the snake was found. This location is atypical and unsuitable for king cobras. (b) Laborer accommodations lie just a dirt path away from the concrete pillars where the king cobra was recorded. (c) The snake emerged from beneath a pile of railway tracks stored at the site for ongoing railway maintenance and repair. (d) An Indian Cobra (Naja naja) on a windowsill in the moving Lokshakti Express train near Valsad, Gujarat State, India. Photos by Dikansh S. Parmar (a, b), Sourabh Yadav (c), and Sameer Lakhani (d). Credit: Biotropica
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We prepared, portioned and provided all meals and snacks for the study. Both diets emphasized minimally processed ingredients and aligned with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the U.S. government’s nutrient-based recommendations for healthy eating, while providing similar calories and amounts of key nutrients.

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Based on these and other reports, the team developed a theory: Western Ghats cobras are hitching rides on trains to new locales. They suspect that the snakes are likely attracted to railway cars for a mixture of reasons, including prey like rodents and the lure of safe, secure shelters.

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The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released on Jan. 7, 2026, explicitly recommend eating less ultraprocessed food, but the previous versions of the guidelines did not specifically address food processing. Our feeding study design allowed us, for the first time, to examine the health effects of reducing ultraprocessed foods while keeping nutrient levels consistent with recommended targets.

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Their final destinations around Goa aren’t ideal, however. After conducting a species distribution model that integrated factors like human activity, vegetation, and climate, Parmar then compared hypothetically suitable habitats to the actual cobra rescue locations. His team discovered the snakes have the best chances for survival in Goa’s interior, away from the coast but close to rivers and streams in forests. More often, however, reports placed the snakes near railway sites that are drier, more exposed, and house fewer prey options. Instead of climate shifts forcing their migration, Parmar explained another factor is now at play.

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We compared how participants fared while eating their habitual diets with how they responded to the two diets that were low in ultraprocessed foods. During the periods when participants ate fewer ultraprocessed foods, they naturally consumed fewer calories and lost weight, including total and abdominal body fat. Beyond weight loss, they also showed meaningful improvements in insulin sensitivity, healthier cholesterol levels, fewer signs of inflammation and favorable changes in hormones that help regulate appetite and metabolism.

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“Our findings suggest a different, more passive mechanism: railways may act not just as corridors for active movement, but as high-speed conduits,” he wrote “This contrasts with the typically negative impact of roads, which often function as barriers or significant mortality sinks for snakes.”

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These improvements were similar whether participants followed the meat-based or the vegetarian diet.

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Parmar’s team argued it’s very plausible that train migration routes are a vastly underreported method of travel—not only for king cobras, but other vulnerable species, as well. Only by better studying and understanding these situations can conservationists protect the animals, as well as any surprised commuters.

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The post King cobras take the train in India appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Oldest fossilized dinosaur vomit discovered in Germany]]>The Paleozoic 'regurgitalite' is over 290 million years old.

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The post Oldest fossilized dinosaur vomit discovered in Germany appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/oldest-dinosaur-vomit/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732292Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:27:00 -0500ScienceBiologyDinosaursEvolutionApproximately 290 million years ago, a carnivorous dinosaur stomping around present-day Germany had a tummy ache. The Paleozoic predator eventually vomited up its stomach contents, and then hopefully continued to live its best dino life. Unlike most ancient regurgitated meals, this particular mixture of half-eaten prey and digestive bacteria successfully fossilized into what’s known as a regurgitalite.

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Why it matters

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In 2021, paleontologists discovered the extremely rare find while working in the famous Bromacker Permian dig site, about 155 miles southwest of Berlin. As they detail in a study published on January 30th in the journal Scientific Reports, the fossilized regurgitation is the oldest specimen of its kind, and contains a wealth of insights into the still frequently mysterious food chain of terrestrial dinosaurs.

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Ultraprocessed foods make up more than half the calories consumed by most U.S. adults. Although these foods are convenient and widely available, studies that track people’s diets over time increasingly link them with obesity and age-related chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With older adults making up a growing share of the global population, strategies that preserve metabolic health could support healthy aging.

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What is a regurgitalite?

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Most previous feeding studies testing how ultraprocessed foods affect people’s health haven’t reflected real-world eating, especially among Americans. For example, some studies have compared diets made up almost entirely of ultraprocessed foods with diets that contain little to none at all.

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Bones tell researchers a lot about ancient species, but they can’t provide the whole picture. In addition to anatomical remains, paleontologists often focus on other biological samples such as coprolites, aka fossilized poop. But due to their composition, most coprolites are only preserved in aquatic settings like oceans and lakes, meaning it’s easier to reconstruct marine life menus compared to land dinosaur food webs.

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Our study aimed to more closely approximate people’s experience while still closely tracking the foods they consumed. It is the first to show that for older adults a realistic reduction in ultraprocessed foods, outside the lab, has measurable health benefits beyond just losing weight. For older adults especially, maintaining metabolic health helps preserve mobility, independence and quality of life.

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This is partly why a team from Humboldt University of Berlin’s Natural History Museum and the French National Centre for Scientific Research initially suspected their fossil-in-question (known as MNG 17001) to be a coprolite. However, further analysis and morphological clues proved otherwise. Fossilized poop is usually preserved in comparatively regular cylindrical or conical shapes, with any residual bones suspended in an organic sedimentary matrix. This mineralized casing is also generally high in phosphorus—a consequence of bacterial bone digestion.

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What’s still unknown

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But MNG 17001 doesn’t look anything like a coprolite. The bone fragments aren’t housed in a sedimentary matrix, and it had very low phosphorus levels. Taken altogether, the team knew they were looking at a regurgitalite, or fossilized vomit, likely preserved due to the Bromacker site’s origins as a wet floodplain.

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Our study was small, reflecting the complexity of studies in which researchers tightly control what participants eat. It was not designed to show whether the metabolic improvements we observed can prevent or delay diseases such as diabetes or heart disease over time. Larger, longer studies will be needed to answer that.

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An ancient survival trick

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On the practical side, it’s still unclear whether people can cut back on ultraprocessed foods in their daily lives without structured support, and what strategies would make it easier to do so. It’s also not fully understood which aspects of processing – for example, additives, emulsifiers or extrusion – matter more for health.

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Carnivorous dinosaurs are far from the only animals to ever regurgitate after a hefty meal. Even today, many predators frequently throw up harder-to-digest material like teeth, bones, and hair as a means to conserve overall energy. But MNG 17001 marks the first instance of a confirmed regurgitalite from a completely terrestrial Paleozoic predator.

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Answering these questions could help manufacturers produce foods that are healthier but still convenient – and make it easier for people to choose healthier food options.

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Although paleontologists aren’t entirely sure about the identity of vomit’s creator, they have narrowed down the possibilities. Computed tomography scans allowed them to reconstruct the fossil’s dozens of half-digested bones in 3D, which they then matched to known species. These included the nearly complete maxilla (upper jawbone) of a small ancestor of today’s reptiles, Thuringothyris mahlendorffae, as well as the humerus belonging to the oldest known bipedal vertebrate, the bolosaurid Eudibamus cursoris. The final evidence—a bone from a diadectid—proved the most telling. Members of the Diadectidae were the first fully herbivorous tetrapods, as well as the first truly large land-based animals. Diadectes, for example, easily grew as big as 10-feet-long.

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The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

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Potential suspects

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The post Eating less ultraprocessed food supports healthier aging, new research shows appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Tired? You may have social jetlag.]]>When life gets in the way of your body's ideal sleep schedule, things get messy.

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The post Tired? You may have social jetlag. appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/health/what-is-social-jetlag/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731681Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:01:00 -0500HealthAsk Us AnythingScienceHours before sunrise, society’s earliest larks begin their day. Tales of Apple’s Tim Cook attending to his email at 3:45 a.m., novelist Barbara Kingsolver writing furiously at 4 a.m., and Michelle Obama starting her gym workout at 4:30 a.m. headline the early bird media fanfare. Early risers are the most celebrated in America’s optimization-obsessed culture that has decided the key to success is being up far before the sun.

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Paleontologists aren’t sure about the specific diadectid species, but they do know that whatever feasted on it must have been equally sizable. In the Bromacker region, only two predators fit the bill. The first contender, Tambacarnifex unguifalcatus, isn’t widely known and likely resembled a huge monitor lizard. The second, Dimetrodon teutonis, is much more recognizable with its distinct sail-fin along its back.

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But there’s a lot these “aspirational” narratives leave out, like the fact that pre-dawn wake-ups only work if you’re wired for early rising—they can be downright unhealthy if you’re not. 

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No matter its true identity, the ancient predator’s upset stomach yielded a remarkable time capsule into Paleozoic life, death, and regurgitation. The first-of-its-kind fossilized vomit also hints at opportunistic hunting behaviors among apex land predators, and illustrates just how long carnivores have relied on the (admittedly unseemly) digestive trick to maximize their survival odds.

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The post Oldest fossilized dinosaur vomit discovered in Germany appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Skeletons reveal Stone Age mother and daughter had a rare genetic condition]]>Despite physical limitations, Romito 1 and Romito 2 likely lived into adulthood about 12,000 years ago.

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The post Skeletons reveal Stone Age mother and daughter had a rare genetic condition appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/stone-age-skeletons-rare-genetic-condition/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732254Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:08:24 -0500ScienceArchaeologyBiologyDiseasesHealthIn 1963, paleoarchaeologists working in southern Italy discovered a unique and puzzling burial scene within an ancient cave known as Grotta del Romito. Inside the cavern, researchers excavated the bodies of two Paleolithic individuals buried in an embrace over 12,000 years ago with no signs of outward trauma. Designated Romito 1 and Romito 2, both subjects had clearly shortened limbs, each with a respective height of around 4.75 and 3.6 feet tall. 

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What is your chronotype?

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In the six decades since, experts have argued at length about the pair’s relationship, sex, as well as an explanation for their unique physical features. Many have posited that the two exhibited some form of dwarfism, but direct evidence has eluded them. Now, researchers believe they have definitive answers. According to a study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Romito 1 and 2 were most likely a parent and child born with a rare genetic disorder called acromesomelic dysplasia.

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Sleep and wake-up schedules are based on something called chronotype. Your chronotype is your biological inclination to fall asleep and wake up at certain times. And everyone has a different one: there are larks (early to bed, early to rise), doves (in the middle, this is most people), and owls (late to bed, late to rise). 

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AMD is one of the rarest documented genetic disorders. Only around 10 million people in the world carry the altered NPR2 gene, and of those, just 3,500 are estimated to display the physiological conditions including shortened limbs, spinal curvature, and stiff joints.

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Chronotype is not only a blueprint for when you’ll get good sleep, but also for what time your brain works best, and the most appropriate times to eat meals. According to experts, schedules are far from one-size fits all. When we regularly go against our body clock, we end up with a condition called social jetlag.

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What is social jetlag?

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Social jetlag is the difference in sleep times between work/school days and free days. Coined in 2006 by Professor of Chronobiology Dr. Till Roenneberg at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, the term points to the idea of being between two time zones: that of your body clock and that of society’s clock. 

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Social jetlag can arise from continually needing to wake up for work before your body is ready or from staying out too late because your friends are all late-night barflies. The consequences of social jetlag exceed just needing a cup of coffee. According to research, people with chronic social jetlag can suffer from a roster of health problems.

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“[For] practically every pathology or health deficit that we look at, the more social jetlag you have, the higher your probability of developing it,” Roenneberg tells Popular Science.

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Your biology determines your ideal wake/sleep schedule

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Modern society is organized for early chronotypes, a subset of the population that only accounts for approximately 15 percent of people. For the rest of us (doves at 70 percent and owls at 15 percent), our alarm clocks go off in the middle of our biological night. Roenneberg describes this disparity as “biological discrimination.” He says late types have a significant disadvantage at school when they are young.

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“The late types are not as good in high school and college as they are later when they can choose their own work times,” he says. And even if night owl students are able to function before their biological morning has even begun, they’re still at an academic disadvantage. They are cheated out of the essential part of their sleep in which their brains consolidate what they learned the day before.

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Morning entrance exams for universities and medical schools also skew in favor of early types. And while larks excel in the morning hours, they too are negatively affected by traditional work hours, only later in the day. According to Roenneberg, research has shown that productivity and effectiveness can take a nosedive for early types in the afternoon.

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“We have all these early type doctors who actually make a lot of mistakes when it gets to the afternoon,” he says, referencing a 2018 study that examined surgery mortality rates and time of day.

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To reach their conclusions, the team collected samples from both subject’s temporal bones at the base of the skull, an area that is particularly well suited for preserving genetic material. Subsequent examination revealed a first-degree relationship between the two individuals. More specifically, Romito 1 was the mother and Romito 2 was her daughter.

- Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories

+ Read more about the Stone Age
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Do you need more sleep in fall and winter? Probably.

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Is sleeping outside good for you? Science has a clear answer.

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What causes you to jolt awake right before falling asleep?

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Is it better to sleep in cycles?

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Why do some people need less sleep?

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Can tracking make my sleep worse? The quiet torment of sleep tech.

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In addition to impacting sleep and alertness, living against your body clock can also cause you to do things at the wrong times. Mealtimes are a good example of this. If you’re an owl or a dove waking up at 5 a.m. for work, then having breakfast at 6 a.m., you’re eating a meal in the middle of your biological night, which can have a deleterious effect on your metabolism. 

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“Identifying both individuals as female and closely related turns this burial into a familial genetic case,” said Daniel Fernandes, a study co-author and University of Coimbra anthropologist. “The older woman’s milder short stature likely reflects a heterozygous mutation, showing how the same gene affected members of a prehistoric family differently.”

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This perpetual misalignment makes people with social jetlag more likely to become obese, as well as smoke and drink alcohol. Late chronotypes are dealt the most difficult hand in this way. “For very late types, the chances of developing type two diabetes are higher if they work in a nine-to-five job than if they do a night shift,” Roenneberg says. 

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Fernandes and colleagues also identified the homozygous variant of the NPR2 gene in Romito 2, which is critical to bone growth and likely explains her slightly taller stature. Taken altogether, the team concluded both Paleolithic women had acromesomelic dysplasia (AMD), Maroteaux type—a condition that stunts a person’s height and shortens their limbs.

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Experts recommend eating when you’re hungry, and not just because it’s “mealtime.” Like for sleep, your body will tell you when it’s time. For late types often forced to run around hours before their cells are awake, it’s okay to skip the lark’s early breakfast time and stash something in your bag for later when hunger strikes.

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Despite the physical limitations of shortened limbs, people with AMD generally maintain a normal life expectancy today. That said, it’s easy to imagine how the condition could severely hinder someone in a Paleolithic hunter-gatherer society—but that does not seem to be the case for Romito 1 and Romito 2. If anything, they experienced the exact opposite. Both survived well into late adolescence, if not full adulthood before they died. This implies a concerted, regular support system from those around them.

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How to reduce your social jetlag

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“We believe her survival would have required sustained support from her group, including help with food and mobility in a challenging environment,” explained study co-author Alfredo Coppa from Rome’s Sapienza University.

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In an ideal world, all of us would schedule our lives around our chronotype. We wouldn’t use alarm clocks. Instead, we’d wake up with our body and go to work at a time when it’s healthiest to do so. Chronobiologists say the entire social schedule should be re-examined. Until then, however, there are things you can do to slightly adjust your chronotype.

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Beyond helping the contextualize ancient human societies, understanding and identifying genetic conditions in Paleolithic individuals could also help present-day medical research.

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“Light is the most important factor for setting the brain clock,” Roenneberg says. Natural light, to be specific. The human world has disrupted this signal with all the time we spend indoors and our ability to turn on artificial light whenever we want; not to mention our use of screens that emit blue light at all hours. Artificial light’s suppression of melatonin, at night or in the morning,  makes early types earlier and late types later. 

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“Rare genetic diseases are not a modern phenomenon but have been present throughout human history,” said Adrian Daly, a study co-author from Liège University Hospital Center in Belgium. “Understanding their history may help [recognize] such conditions today.”

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The post Skeletons reveal Stone Age mother and daughter had a rare genetic condition appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[The extreme sport of skijoring, where horses pull skiers at 40 mph]]>And why the eccentric sport will likely never return to the Olympics.

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The post The extreme sport of skijoring, where horses pull skiers at 40 mph appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/horse-skiing-skijoring/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732104Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:01:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsFitness & ExerciseHealthThe high-adrenaline winter sport of skijoring, derived from the Norwegian word for “ski driving,” takes so many forms that it even defies uniform pronunciation.

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To remedy this, Roenneberg recommends spending time outside. “Get as much light as possible during the day and use as little light—especially blue light—as possible after sunset.” For all types, adhering to the natural light and darkness cycle can help sync your body clock to the sun and reduce your social jetlag.

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“If you go to France, it’s skijoering, pronounced SKEE-zhor-ing. In German, it’s skijöring, pronounced SHEE-yuh-ring,” says Loren Zhimanskova, founder of Skijor International and Skijor USA. “In Norway, it’s skikjøring, pronounced SHEE-shuh-ring. Every culture has its own version, and that’s part of what makes the sport so special.” 

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In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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The post Tired? You may have social jetlag. appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[REI is blowing out sneakers, hiking boots, and casual shoes during its winter clearance sale]]>Grab footwear from Merrell, Saucony, Keen, Arc'teryx, Hoka, and more during this limited time clearance sale.

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The post REI is blowing out sneakers, hiking boots, and casual shoes during its winter clearance sale appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/rei-hiking-boot-sneaker-footwear-deals-winter-clearance/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731658Thu, 22 Jan 2026 17:56:29 -0500GearOutdoor GearWhether you’re in the market for a new pair of hiking boots, some upgraded running sneakers, or even a comfortable pair of casual shoes, REI has them on clearance right now. This year-end sale has dropped prices pretty much across the board on some of the most familiar outdoor and fitness brands.

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This changeability goes beyond umlauts and accents—it’s at the heart of the evolution and modern practice of this eclectic sport.

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Editor’s Picks

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At its core, skijoring is a winter sport in which a skier is pulled across the snow by a horse. In European competitions, the horse typically runs riderless, while in Western-stye competitions a mounted rider steers the horse through a fast-paced obstacle course.

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“It’s that free-flowing, wildhearted diversity that makes our sport so attractive,” Zhimanskova says. But that diversity is also why skijoring may never again grace the Olympic stage after being included as a demonstration event in the 1920s. 

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What is skijoring?

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The two main ways to skijor don’t have much in common. In Europe, a lone skier navigates a riderless horse around an oval track, racing shoulder-to-shoulder with other competitors. In the American West, a rider guides the horse through an obstacle course while the skier navigates gates, lands jumps, and sometimes catches rings, all while managing roughly 33 feet of rope at speeds that can reach 40 mph.

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Forget about laces. The BOA system allows you to make micro adjustments to the fit with a simple turn of a dial. It’s a great option if you’re going over tough terrain or you’ll be wearing gloves and don’t want to take them off to tie laces.

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What does it feel like to travel on horse-drawn skis? Zhimanskova says the sensation is similar to waterskiing: sitting back slightly against the pull of the rope, keeping the knees flexed, and relying on arm and leg strength to stay upright.

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“It might be a bit easier than water skiing, because with waterskiing, you have to go fast to stay afloat,” she says. “With a horse, you can go slower.”

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The only person to win an Olympic medal and a Nobel Peace Prize

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Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes

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From bones to steel: Why ice skates were a terrible idea that worked

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Running shoes need replacing more often than our wallets would like. These bright runners offer ample cushioning and a comfortable fit for any kind of training from the road to the treadmill.

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Zhimanskova notes that skijoring has a very different sensation than horseback riding on snow. With the skier’s weight distributed across skis rather than concentrated in a saddle, the horse can move more efficiently over snowy terrain, while the rider and skier are able to navigate sharper turns without destabilizing the horse. 

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Men’s footwear deals

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From winter work to winter sport

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Road-running shoes and daily trainers

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Long before skijoring became a competitive sport, it was a practical form of winter transportation. The Sami people of Scandinavia used skis and reindeer to efficiently traverse snowy expanses, and Nordic militaries later adapted the practice to move troops and supplies through harsh winter conditions.

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    Over time, people began to appreciate a different aspect of this snowy time-saver—it was fun. By the early 1900s, skijoring had evolved into a recreational activity in the Alps, where it developed into an organized sporting activity. It eventually attracted some high-profile fans, including Baron Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the Winter Olympics. His enthusiasm for the sport led to its inclusion as a demonstration event at the 1924 Games in Chamonix, France, and again in the 1928 Games in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

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    As the sport eventually made its way west, it evolved a distinctly American style. By around 1914, American tourists began bringing skijoring back from their European vacations, and it began appearing at resorts like Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, New York. These early U.S. iterations hewed closely to the European roots of the sport.

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    A black-and-white historical photograph from 1936 showing several people participating in skijoring at Lake Placid, New York. Three horses—one white, one brown, and one black—gallop across a flat, snow-covered field, each towing skiers behind them using long ropes. The skiers, dressed in vintage winter athletic gear, lean back for balance as they are pulled along tracks in the snow. In the background, a large multi-story house and a dense line of bare winter trees sit on a slight incline under a clear sky.
    In Lake Placid, New York, skiers hold tight as horses pull them along on a frozen Mirror Lake on December 26, 1936. Image: Contributor / Getty Images / Underwood Archives
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    “The Western version started in towns like Jackson, Steamboat, and Banff, and was more free-spirited and rugged, more about testing your skills,” says Zhimanskova. “That’s how rodeo started. Cowboys roped as part of their jobs, but when they had time off they said, ‘Well, who can rope the best?’ It became a friendly competition, and then evolved into a structured sport, like rodeo.”

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    Skijoring continues to take many forms

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    In modern practice, skijoring has splintered into a wide range of styles—not even the horse is set in stone. Some skijorers are pulled by dogs or miniature ponies, others by snowmobiles, motorcycles, or cars, and at least one donkey has reportedly gotten in on the action. Still, the most common form of the sport involves a skier pulled by a galloping horse, either with a rider or without.

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    It’s uncertain whether skijoring will reappear in future Winter Olympics. Zhimanskova believes gaining approval from the International Olympic Committee would require a level of international standardization that might be at odds with the sport’s notoriously untamed nature. 

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    Still, some efforts have been made to add structure to the sport without sacrificing its freewheeling spirit. Zhiimanskova helped establish the SkijorCup, a standardized point system designed to connect competitions across events while preserving the sport’s culture and emphasis on equine safety.

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    “Skijoring races have always resisted a governing body because people involved in the sport are so inherently independent,” she says. “But that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to work together to grow and improve. The trick is finding the right formula that unifies, allows for independence, and doesn’t involve governing or sanctioning.”

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    A vibrant, full-color action shot of Rider Kylee Nielson and Skier Magnolia Neu competing in a skijoring event. A chestnut horse with a white blaze and white leg wraps gallops directly toward the camera, kicking up a spray of bright white snow. The rider wears a brown cowboy hat and a cow-print jacket. Behind the horse, a skier in a white jacket and blue-tinted goggles leans into a turn on a snowy bank. A large, diverse crowd of spectators watches from behind a fence, with a massive video screen in the background reflecting the race.
    Rider Kylee Nielson and skier Magnolia Neu took home the first ever Women’s Division championship buckle following this race. Image: Amanda Dilworth / PRO Skijor / WESTERN EDGE PHOTO
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    Beyond the competition itself, modern skijoring has developed a distinct visual culture that’s part of what makes it so magnetic. Modern skijoring events in the American West often look like a mashup of apres-ski attire and Yellowstone-esque Western flair.  

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    Fur coats, chaps, and cowboy hats add a renegade swagger to pristine snowscapes, and participants and spectators alike embrace the sport’s anything-goes aesthetic. Some competitions even celebrate skijor chic through organized “red carpet” events. 

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    “I always say it’s the Kentucky Derby, but on snow with a twist,” says Kylee Nielson, a competitive skijor rider who, together with skier Magnolia Neu, took home the first-ever Women’s Division championship buckle at PRO Skijor’s recent Frontier Tour in Heber City, Utah. 

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    “Tons of fur coats, cowboy hats, chaps—the crazier, the better.” 

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    “Three heartbeats” 

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    Beneath the chaps-clad pageantry, skijoring relies on an intimate partnership of timing and trust, leaving little room for error. Megan Smith, a novice skijorer married to seasoned competitor Patrick Smith, has come to understand that firsthand.

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    “It’s a sport of three athletes, not just the rider and the skier,” says Megan, a former restaurateur and photographer who connected with Patrick after posting her photos of his races. “Skijor is rider, skier, and horse.”

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    “They call it ‘three heartbeats,’” adds Patrick.

    The phrase exemplifies how closely the sport binds this essential trio, who share very real consequences if one “heartbeat” should fall out of sync. 

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    An action-packed, night-time shot of a skijoring competition. A person on skis is being pulled at high speed by a galloping, brown-and-white paint horse. The rider, a woman in a cowboy hat and western gear, leans forward as the horse kicks up snow. In the background, a large crowd of spectators in winter clothing watches from behind a fence, illuminated by bright stadium lights. The foreground features snowy mounds and hay bales marking the course.
    Rider Megan Smith pulls skier Austin Gardner, moments before the finish line in their first-place run in the novice skijor division at Estes Park, Colorado. Image: Justin Treptow
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    This three-athlete interdependency was truly driven home recently for Patrick. During a two-day event, he was riding near the top of a stacked field when a turn went wrong. The horse, Lady Porcha, lost her footing on the icy course and went down, sending both of them sliding briefly across the track. 

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    Lady Porcha quickly got to her feet and finished the run uninjured, but Patrick was knocked to the ground as the skier’s rope caught his spur and pulled his boot free.

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    “You skipped like a stone on a pond,” Megan recalls.

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The fall drew a collective gasp from the crowd, and people rushed in to help. Patrick walked away with a twisted ankle, shaken but intact—and relieved, above all, that the horse was okay.

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Trail runners, hikers, and “do-it-all” outdoors shoes

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Patrick and Megan participate in skijoring competitions throughout the winter. While Patrick approaches the sport as a serious contender, Megan—who picked up a win of her own recently��is more drawn to the fun of it all.

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    “He’s like ‘I’m here to win,’ and I’m there to see my friends,” says Megan. “We’ve found a really good community here.  Everyone is positive and roots for each other.”

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    The post The extreme sport of skijoring, where horses pull skiers at 40 mph appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>en-US<![CDATA[Facial recognition AI trained to work on bears]]>The noninvasive method is already monitoring over 100 Alaskan brown bears.

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    The post Facial recognition AI trained to work on bears appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/bears-facial-id/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732208Thu, 29 Jan 2026 15:55:00 -0500EnvironmentAIAnimalsBearsConservationScienceTechnologyWildlifeFor most people, assessing a bear’s weight or fur color isn’t a top priority during an unexpected encounter in the woods. Instead, the desire to survive generally wins out over lingering to admire the predator’s sizable claws or snout shape. Knowing this, you’d be forgiven for having difficulty differentiating one bear from another.

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    For many ecologists, monitoring individual animals over long periods of time—even years—is crucial to conservation efforts. But even the experts easily get confused. This is especially true given a bear’s often dramatic, seasonal weight fluctuations, as well as how physically different they may look pre- and post-hibernation. To help wildlife biologists make sense of it all, a team at Switzerland’s EPFL and Alaska Pacific University (APU) has developed PoseSwin, a machine learning program capable of telling brown bears apart from one another. The technology was recently detailed in a study recently published in the journal Cell Current Biology.

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    PoseSwin was trained on over 72,000 photos of 109 different brown bears taken by APU researcher Beth Rosenberg between 2017 and 2022. Rosenberg captured the images at all times of day and night and in various weather conditions, while also making sure to document the bears in a variety of behaviors. She and her colleagues then relied on their existing knowledge of brown bear physiology to determine the handful of anatomical details that remain relatively constant over the animal’s life. These features include their brow bone angle, ear placement, and muzzle shape. Next, they incorporated data on how bears looked in different poses and at varying angles.

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    “Our biological intuition was that head features combined with pose would be more reliable than body shape alone, which changes dramatically with weight gain,” explained Alexander Mathis, a project collaborator and researcher at EPFL’s Brain Mind Institute and Neuro-X Institute. “The data proved us right—PoseSwin significantly outperformed models that used body images or ignored pose information.”

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    From there, the team took PoseSwin for a field test with help from citizen scientists. After amassing more brown bear portraits from visitors to Katmai National Park and Preserve (home of Fat Bear Week), researchers fed the photos into the machine learning program. In multiple cases, PoseSwin successfully matched individual bears to those already in its database. Already, PoseSwin’s designers could begin to track how and where these predators moved in search of seasonal food.

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    “This is a concrete example of the PoseSwin model’s potential,” said Rosenberg. “The technology could eventually be used to analyze the thousands of pictures that visitors take every year and help to build a map of how brown bears use this expansive area.”

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    Rosenberg and her colleagues are now using PoseSwin to monitor over 100 bears living around McNeil River State Game Sanctuary without disrupting their daily habits. In doing so, they should gain more accurate information on the bears’health and wellbeing, providing a much needed boost to conservation efforts.

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    “Bears are at the top of the food chain and ensure the proper functioning of their ecosystem. They are critical to maintaining healthy systems,” explained Rosenberg.

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    PoseSwin likely won’t remain so bear-centric. Early benchmark tests indicate it’s also incredibly accurate when trained on macaques, suggesting it could soon expand to handle many other species. The machine learning algorithm is also available open-source, so anyone can access it for their own subject—although there’s a good chance none of them will be harder for PoseSwin to identify.

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  • Merrell Tempo EXP Hiking Shoes – Men’s $59.73 (was $80.00)
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    “Bears are perhaps the hardest species to recognize individually,” said Mathis. “We focused on them first with the idea that our program could be adapted to other species, from mice to chimps.”

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    The post Facial recognition AI trained to work on bears appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Rare copy of Declaration of Independence going to auction]]>Only around 175 broadsides copies of the document are believed to exist.

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    The post Rare copy of Declaration of Independence going to auction appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/declaration-of-independence-auction/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732188Thu, 29 Jan 2026 14:09:52 -0500ScienceThe Declaration of Independence is up for sale, but it will cost more than most of us can afford. Despite this, the edition offered by Goldin Auction was originally printed and distributed so that colonists could read the Second Continental Congress’ argument for separating from Great Britain in July 1776.

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    The document is part of a collection of over 400 historic items scheduled for auction in May, and is set to coincide with the 250th anniversary of American independence. However, this isn’t necessarily a recognizable version of the Declaration of Independence. Instead of a carefully handwritten piece of parchment (what’s known as an engrossed copy), this variant is one of the few surviving broadside editions. A broadside is a large, single-sided page of printed material, and was one of the easiest and most popular ways to spread public information at the time.

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    In this case, Declaration of Independence broadsides were distributed throughout the colonies shortly after the original document was signed. The copies were then read at town gatherings and posted in public forums to raise awareness of their cause and win people over to the idea of breaking away from Britain.

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    Although the broadside headed to auction this year doesn’t include a specific printer’s mark, Goldin appraisers believe additional contextual details trace it back to a publisher in Exeter, New Hampshire. Around 125 July 1776 broadsides are known to still exist today, but only 10 examples remain of this specific edition.

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    Goldin didn’t offer a valuation estimate, but it will probably sell for a hefty price based on similar, recent auctions. On January 23rd, anExeter broadside in similar condition offered by Christie’s sold for nearly $5.7 million.

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    The Declaration of Independence is a remarkable historical document not only for its ambitions, but how it justified severing colonial ties with Britain. Its authors included a list of 27 specific grievances citing “repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.” These included obstructing the “Administration of Justice,” and “[keeping] among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.”

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    The post Rare copy of Declaration of Independence going to auction appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Amazon is clearing out Dewalt power tools and batteries: Get a battery 2-pack for just $91.46 shipped]]>The sale also includes a wide array of 20V MAX drills, saws, drivers, and other power tools.

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    The post Amazon is clearing out Dewalt power tools and batteries: Get a battery 2-pack for just $91.46 shipped appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/dewalt-power-tool-battery-sale-amazon-deals/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732172Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:21:18 -0500GearHomeWinter may not seem like the best time to take on home improvement projects, but they’re a great option for fending off cabin fever. But, to do the job right, you need proper power tools and Amazon’s Dewalt clearance sale can help in that regard. Right now, the massive online retailer has a wide selection of Dewalt tools on sale. Perhaps even more importantly, you can get extra 20V batteries for the lowest prices we have seen this year. After all, you can never have too many tools and you can certainly never have too many batteries.

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    Editor’s picks

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    + + You can never have too many batteries. + +

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    The 4Ah batteries are a sweet spot in the lineup because they offer plenty of power for hours of operation without making the tools feel like boat anchors in your hand. They work with dozens of tools across the Dewalt line and they’ll take hundreds of charge cycles before they start to slow down.

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  • Saucony Freedom Crossport Shoes – Men’s $74.83 (was $150.00)
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    If you’ve been eyeing trim work, shelving, or any project that demands repeatable, square cuts, a sliding 12-inch miter saw is a serious upgrade. This one’s built for wide boards and longer cuts, so you spend less time fussing and more time actually building. I bought my miter saw after I wasted $80 worth of crown molding because I kept cutting it wrong. Don’t learn the hard way like I did.

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  • NNormal Kjerag Trail-Running Shoes $96.83 (was $195.00)
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Boots, waterproof, and winter-ready picks

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The compact footprint makes this one easier to store than a full shop saw, but it still handles ripping boards and breaking down plywood for weekend builds. It’s a classic and an essential power tool for anyone who works with wood of any kind.

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Batteries and charging

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Women’s footwear deals

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“Green ice on Lake Lipno fits into the long-term changes we observe here in connection with eutrophication and ongoing climate change,” said hydrobiologist Petr Znachor. “It suggests that we may witness similar surprises more frequently in the future.”

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The post Toxic algae turned a frozen lake green appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Svalbard polar bears are doing surprisingly well (for now)]]>In the face of sea ice loss, some of the bears on the Norwegian archipelago are gaining weight.

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The post Svalbard polar bears are doing surprisingly well (for now) appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/polar-bears-svalbard-norway/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732144Thu, 29 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBearsBiologyClimate ChangeEndangered SpeciesScienceWildlifeThe Arctic’s polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are often the poster species for the perils of climate change. Threatened by rapidly dwindling sea ice and habitat loss as the world warms, over two-thirds of polar bears could go extinct by 2050. Despite the dire situation, polar bear populations on the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard have improved. The reason could be hidden beneath their fur and in their surroundings. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal Scientific Reports.

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The Svalbard archipelago is located halfway between the northern coast of Norway and the North Pole. The remote region is home to a seed vault, about 2,100 people, and some unique wildlife—including the world’s smallest reindeer. There are also an estimated 3,000 polar bears and about 300 remain on Svalbard year-round, while others migrate. Internationally, polar bears have been protected from hunting since 1973, so their primary threats are increased temperatures due to climate change, habitat and food resource loss, and encroachment by humans. 

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    Since 1980, temperatures in the Barents Sea region surrounding Svalbard have increased up to two degrees Celsius (about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade. However, a 2004 census of the Barents Sea polar bear population counted approximately 2,650 individuals and that number did not shrink in size until recently. The reasons behind the decrease have been unclear.

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    In the new study, Norwegian Polar Institute polar bear ecologist Jon Aars and colleagues investigated why the Svalbard population has remained so stable. 

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    “Svalbard (and the Barents Sea area) has experienced a much faster loss of sea ice than other areas having polar bears,” Aars tells Popular Science. “The bears are not hunted, they have few competitors when on land, and they may have more alternative prey sources when on land than in most other areas.”

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    They poured over data from 1,188 body measurement records of 770 adult polar bears taken between 1992 and 2019. They specifically looked at the bears’ body composition index (BCI). BCI indicates the amount of fat reserves and body condition in the bears. The team compared BCI with the number of ice-free days in the Barents Sea region across the 27-year period. 

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While there were roughly 100 more ice-free days (about four days per year), the sampled polar bears’ BCI increased after the year 2000. According to Aars, this surprising result indicates that their fat reserves increased as sea ice levels decreased.

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More PopSci reads to pair with these deals

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These improvements in the body conditions might be due to a population increase in the reindeer and walrus that the polar bears eat. The sea ice loss may also lead to more ringed seals gathering in smaller areas of sea ice, which could make polar bear hunting more efficient. 

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The post REI is blowing out sneakers, hiking boots, and casual shoes during its winter clearance sale appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[550-pound Ice Age kangaroos could still hop]]>Just probably not as far as today’s marsupials.

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The post 550-pound Ice Age kangaroos could still hop appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/giant-kangaroos-ice-age-hop/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731674Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:30:00 -0500ScienceAnimalsBiologyEnvironmentEvolutionWildlifeKangaroos have likely been hopping across the planet for much longer than experts previously believed. Not only that, but the ancestors of today’s marsupials landed their leaps while growing much larger than their descendents.

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By 1912, Noel-Baker had already earned honors in history and economics at Cambridge, and he was on the way to a graduate degree in international law.

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For thousands of years, the planet’s largest hopping animal has remained Australia’s red kangaroo (Osphranter rufus). A male “Big Red” easily reaches over five feet tall, weighs 200 pounds, and travels around 37 mph at a pace of up to six feet per leap. But as big as they are today, their evolutionary relatives were even heftier. During the Ice Age around 45,000 years ago, giant kangaroos in the Sthenurinae subfamily often grew over double the size of present-day marsupials. Paleontologists estimate the largest, Procoptodon goliah, stood 6.5 feet tall and weighed upwards of 550 pounds.

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But the 22-year-old was also president of the Cambridge Athletic Club, and that July he took some time off from his studies to join the British track and field team for the fifth modern Olympic Games in Stockholm.

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It’s easy to assume P. goliah and other giant kangaroos lost their ability to hop as a result of all that bulk. After all, scaling up the anatomy of a Big Red suggests the physical act becomes mechanically impossible above 330 pounds. But according to University of Manchester evolutionary scientist Megan Jones, that has been the problem.

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It was an eventful Olympiad. The American multi-sport phenom Jim Thorpe easily won the pentathlon and decathlon, prompting an impressed King Gustav V of Sweden to declare Thorpe “the greatest athlete in the world.” That year saw the Olympic debuts of equestrian sports, women’s aquatics, and the nation of Japan.

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Hand holding giant kangaroo heel fossil next to measuring tape
Scientists analyzed ancient kangaroo bones to see if their anatomy could support hopping. Credit: Megan Jones / UCMP
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Great Britain took home a silver in tug-of-war, just one of 41 medals British athletes won that year. Noel-Baker was not among them; he ran the 800 and 1500-meter races, taking sixth place in the latter. 

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“Previous estimates were based on simply scaling up modern kangaroos, which may mean we miss crucial anatomical differences,” Jones said in a statement. “Our findings show that these animals weren’t just larger versions of today’s kangaroos, they were built differently, in ways that helped them manage their enormous size.”

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A black-and-white action photograph from the 1912 Stockholm Olympics showing four men competing in a middle-distance track event. Philip Noel-Baker is on the far right, wearing a white jersey with a Union Jack and the number 214, captured mid-stride alongside competitors from Finland and other nations. A crowd of spectators in hats is visible in the background bleachers.
In 1912, Philip Noel-Baker (far left) competed in the 1500 meter (shown here) and 800 meter races at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden. Image: Contributor / Getty Images / ullstein bild Dtl.
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In a study published today in the journal Scientific Reports, Jones and colleagues lay out the case for a new look at the giant ‘roos of the Ice Age. Their conclusions come from comparing present-day kangaroo skeletal anatomy with the fossils of their marsupial cousins. The team specifically focused on two primary limitations for hopping: foot bone strength and how an ankle could support strong enough tendons to facilitate locomotion.

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It may not have been his best showing, but Noel-Baker—who hyphenated his name when he married his wife, Irene Noel, in 1915—did better at the next Olympiad, held in Antwerp in 1920, after the 1916 Olympics were cancelled due to World War I.

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Unlike today’s kangaroos, the Sthenurinae megafauna possessed thicker, shorter foot bones and broader heels. This combination likely allowed them to handle the intense downward force of hopping with the help of powerful tendons. At the same time, giant kangaroos almost certainly weren’t constantly hopping across ancient Australian landscapes.

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That year, the 30-year-old won silver in the 1500 meter race, his only Olympic medal. But nearly four decades later Noel-Baker would return to Scandinavia for a gold one. 

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“Thicker tendons are safer, but they store less elastic energy,” said University of Bristol biologist and study co-author Katrina Jones. “This likely made giant kangaroos slower and less efficient hoppers, better suited to short bursts of movement rather than long-distance travel.”

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Then, a Nobel Peace Prize

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Jones added that their intermittent hops weren’t simply impressive displays of talent. The giant kangaroos could use them to traverse difficult terrain more easily, or escape imminent danger from predators. 

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Noel-Baker’s father, a successful London businessman and dedicated pacifist, put his own belief in public service into action as a member of the London County Council and, later, in the House of Commons. Noel-Baker took after his father, and was dismayed when war came to Europe so soon after the jubilant spectacle of internationalism he had witnessed in Stockholm.

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It wasn’t all hopping or walking, either. Analysis of other Sthenurinae fossils suggest a variety of movement options for different giant kangaroo species. The study’s authors theorize some may have hopped for short distances, then walked on either two or all rfour legs as part of a wider “movement repertoire.”

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The post 550-pound Ice Age kangaroos could still hop appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Adorable ferret-sized martens are rebounding in California]]>Highly valued for their fur, martens were almost hunted to extinction in the late 20th century.

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The post Adorable ferret-sized martens are rebounding in California appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/endangered-martens-recovery-california/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731663Thu, 22 Jan 2026 15:07:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyConservationEndangered SpeciesScienceWildlifeIt’s understandable if you’ve never heard of the coastal marten. These secretive—but adorable—woodland carnivores nearly went extinct. Fortunately, these ferret-sized mammals are making a slow recovery in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. 

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On August 4, 1914, Noel-Baker “listened to Big Ben strike midnight as the Horse Artillery thundered along the Embankment to Victoria to entrain for France,” he later recalled. “And we knew that the guns were already firing, that the First World War had come.”

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Coastal martens (Martes caurina humboldtensis or the Humboldt marten) are related to weasels, otters, mink, wolverines, and fetters. These rare mammals are smaller than the average house cat with adult males averaging about 20 to 24 inches long and weighing about 1.5 to three pounds. Martens are carnivores known to eat birds and their eggs, small mammals like chipmunks, berries, and nuts. 

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A conscientious objector, he would devote his own war effort to organizing ambulance services for Allied soldiers injured on the front lines, earning multiple citations for valor. But like many who had seen the worst of the so-called Great War, Noel-Baker returned with an even greater zeal for peace. 

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They once ranged all over parts of northern California, southern Oregon, and Washington State, but their population and range shrunk during the 20th century. The animals were valued for their fur and often trapped and skinned, while logging destroyed much of their habitat. They were almost considered extinct until a United States Forest Service biologist discovered a small population in the coastal woods of northern California in 1996. They are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act and the small populations of martens that remain are at risk due to habitat loss, rodenticides, vehicles, and disease.

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After the war, Noel-Baker served as principal assistant to Lord Robert Cecil, one of the architects of the League of Nations (and himself a future Nobel Laureate). He continued working for the League in various capacities throughout the 1920s and for most of the ‘30s, ‘40s, ‘50s and ’60s served in Parliament as a minister from the Labor Party.

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Scientists from Oregon State University (OSU) recently spent three months documenting the marten population in northern California. To get a sense of the population there, they used non-invasive survey tools, including remote cameras and hair snares. These snares use tape and wire to safely sample hair from animals to collect DNA and other data. The team gathered their marten data via 285 hair snares (made from PVC pipe) and 135 cameras. 

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After World War II, he joined the effort to replace the flawed League with what would become the United Nations, working tirelessly all the while for multilateral disarmament. 

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a small animal called a marten with brown fur sniffs a piece of white PVC pipe
Camera footage showing a marten at the opening of one of the hair snares. Image: Oregon State University.
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+A historic black-and-white photograph from October 1946 showing Sir Philip Noel-Baker and other delegates at the United Nations General Assembly in Flushing Meadow, New York City. Four men in formal dark suits are seated at a long table labeled with a "UNITED KINGDOM" sign. One man on the left is pointing upward with his right arm while looking toward the ceiling with an open mouth, as the other three men, including one standing behind them, follow his gaze with expressions of intense focus and curiosity. A black fedora sits on the table among various scattered documents.
Seated from left to right, Sir Philip Noel-Baker, Sir Hartley Shawcross, and Sir Alexander Cadogan represent the United Kingdom at the United Nations General Assembly at Flushing Meadow, New York City, in October 1946. Image: Stringer / Getty Images / Keystone
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The genetic analysis of the hair identified 46 different martens (18 females and 28 males) living in Klamath, California. At higher elevations, the biggest groups of martens were observed along forested ridgetops with consistent snowpack in the winter. At lower elevations, they were spotted in ravines and wetlands in coastal forests.

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While some of his contemporaries advocated a realpolitik approach, or even hewed to the idea that powerful weapons were the best deterrent against violence, Noel-Baker “believed fervently in the cause of peace and advocated disarmament as the only answer to war,” said Professor Michael E. Cox, Emeritus Professor of International Relations at the London School of Economics, in a 2024 lecture. “In other words, he was not a realist. He was what many called him at the time, a romanticist—dare I even use the word—a utopian.” 

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The team’s findings are detailed in a study recently published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation. Understanding where these carnivores are living is crucial for informing conservation and land management decisions. 

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Undeterred by Noel-Baker’s critics, the Norwegian Nobel Committee granted him the Peace Prize in 1959, shortly after the publication of his book, The Arms Race: A Programme for World Disarmament, which offered a detailed plan for getting rid of both nuclear and conventional weapons.

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“Martens tend to select forest stands with greater than 50% canopy cover and lots of large-diameter trees, snags and hollow logs,” Erika Anderson, the study’s lead author and OSU faculty research assistant, said in a statement. “Structural complexity with coarse woody debris helps them hunt and also provides cover from predators and competitors. But despite continued conservation concern over the last 30 years, we have a lot to learn about marten distribution and demography and how forest conditions influence their distribution and density.”

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Philip Noel-Baker’s legacy

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The study included organizations from Oregon, California, and Wisconsin and took place on ancestral lands of the Yurok and Karuk Tribes. One-third of the study area is owned by the Yurok Tribe, and that land was previously owned and managed for commercial logging. The Yurok Tribe now manages the land for some timber harvesting, plant and wildlife habitat restoration, and cultural resource conservation.

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Eight more Olympics had taken place since Noel-Baker won his silver medal, the games interrupted by yet another world war. Meanwhile, new weapons had been developed, weapons more terrible than previous generations could have imagined. Noel-Baker, now nearing 70 years old, used his Nobel Lecture to look back on a dangerous half century, and to issue a warning to the future.

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“Coastal martens like forests with old-growth characteristics and those types of forests are being threatened by the effects of climate change, including more frequent and severe wildfire, and certain forest management practices,” added study co-author and OSU wildlife ecologist Sean Matthews. “Beyond that, there’s a lot we don’t know about this species, including information as basic as what forests do coastal martens still occupy, how many martens are there, and are these populations increasing.”

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“The arms race still goes on; but now far more ferocious, far more costly, far more full of perils, than it was then,” he said. “It is the strangest paradox in history; every new weapon is produced for national defense; but all experts are agreed that the modern, mass-destruction, instantaneous delivery weapons have destroyed defense.”

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Matthews also describes coastal martens as “among the most adorable animals that call our Pacific Northwest forests home.”

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The post Adorable ferret-sized martens are rebounding in California appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Penis size may matter more to men than women]]>Genitalia size does have some evolutionary benefits, but men remain a bit touchy about the subject.

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The post Penis size may matter more to men than women appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/penis-size-study-men/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731659Thu, 22 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500ScienceBiologyEvolutionHealthPsychologyHuman history is full of juvenile jokes, odd stereotypes, and outright harmful misinformation about the size of a man’s penis. But the long and short of the real science behind size suggests that men themselves are more likely than women to get riled up about the subject. According to a study published today in the journal PLOS Biology, men routinely feel more physically and sexually threatened by well-endowed rivals—regardless of how women feel about the subjects.

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Trying to curb war with rules and limits had come to nothing, he argued. Instead, he issued a challenge to the international community, the building of which had been his life’s work, from the track to the treaty table. Proudly utopian to the last, he declared, “I start with a forthright proposition: it makes no sense to talk about disarming unless you believe that war, all war, can be abolished.”

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For years, evolutionary biologists have remained confused by one peculiar aspect of human anatomy. In relation to overall body size, the human penis is usually larger than those belonging to most other primates. The reasons why have remained unclear, although there are plenty of theories related to attracting mates, warding off opponents, and even improving reproductive success.

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In That Time When, Popular Science tells the weirdest, surprising, and little-known stories that shaped science, engineering, and innovation.

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+ Related 'That Time When' Stories

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Idaho once dropped 76 beavers from airplanes—on purpose

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During WWII, a dress-wearing squirrel sold war bonds alongside FDR

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When the U.S. almost nuked Alaska—on purpose

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Andrew Jackson’s White House once hosted a cheese feeding frenzy

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The radioactive ‘miracle water’ that killed its believers

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During WWII, the U.S. government censored the weather

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The U.S. tried permanent daylight saving time—and hated it

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The post The only person to win an Olympic medal and a Nobel Peace Prize appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[This Dickies winter clearance sale has pants, jackets, hoodies, flannels, and more up to 70% off]]>Dickies makes super durable workwear with classic styles and almost everything is on deep clearance right now.

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The post This Dickies winter clearance sale has pants, jackets, hoodies, flannels, and more up to 70% off appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/dickies-winter-clearance-sale-pants-jackets-hoodies-flannels/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732132Wed, 28 Jan 2026 21:43:53 -0500GearOutdoor GearI still have a pair of Dickies pants I used to skateboard in during high school. They’re more than 20 years old and they’re still wearable. Right now, you can grab yourself some burly new workwear for absurdly low prices during the Dickies winter clearance sale. The company has more than 100 products up to 50 percent off, with an extra 20 percent discount at checkout when you use code: SAVE20.

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Three computer generated male figures of varying body and penis size
Examples of the computer-generated, male figures used in the study. Credit: Aich U, et al., 2025, PLOS Biology, CC-BY 4.0
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This deal drops pants to $25 and some hoodies under $20. You’ll be hard-pressed to find prices like this for lesser quality clothes at cheap big box stores. Grab your preferred color and size while they’re still in stock.

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To better understand the psychological influences on humanity’s sexual history, researchers at the University of Western Australia asked over 600 men and 200 women to review computer-generated male bodies with varying shapes, heights, and penis sizes. The men then assessed each example based on how physically and sexually intimidated they felt by them. Meanwhile, the women rated each figure’s hypothetical sexual attractiveness. Each participant either saw a life-sized image or a scaled-to-size alternative.

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Editor’s picks

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Women most often ranked male bodies more attractive when they exhibited a higher shoulder-to-hip ratio (i.e. a V-shape) and a larger penis. That said, these attributes had their limits. There came a point when overall body and penis sizes offered diminishing returns.

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Men, if you can believe it, were often a bit more sensitive about possible rivals. Unlike the study’s other volunteers, men consistently rated their same-sex opponents more intimidating as both body and penis sizes increased—with no cap on measurements. At the same time, they also viewed men with larger attributes as a greater sexual threat. Compared with the women’s responses, it appears many men really do believe size matters more than it often does.

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Relaxed Fit Double Knee Jeans — $25.58 with code SAVE20 (was $64.99)

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+ Dickies Relaxed Fit Double Knee jeans +
+ + The reinforced knee makes these the most durable pants in your closet. + +

Dickies

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The team says that their work offers the first experimental evidence of its kind that men assess penis size to judge an opponent’s fighting and sexual prowess. The overlapping responses from both sexes also suggest that increased human penis size is an evolutionary adjustment to attract mates.

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“While the human penis functions primarily to transfer sperm, our result suggests its unusually large size evolved as a sexual ornament to attract females rather than purely as a badge of status to scare males,” Michael Jennions, a study co-author and University of Western Australia evolutionary biologist, said in a statement. “Although it does both,” he added.

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The post Penis size may matter more to men than women appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Sony embraces analog and aesthetic with new turntables]]>But don't worry, there's also Bluetooth built in, with support for Hi-Res aptX Adaptive.

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The post Sony embraces analog and aesthetic with new turntables appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-lx3bt-lx5bt-bluetooth-full-auto-turntables-gen-z-millennials-product-announcement/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731333Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500GearAudioFriction may play an integral role in how a turntable plays a record, but removing little frictions is definitely a great way to get the vinyl curious (or even returning enthusiasts) interested in playing more than one record. Sony seems to understand this, which is why the new PS-LX3BT and PS-LX5BT turntables are built to be simple and intuitive. No fussy setup, no nervous cueing, no wondering if you need a preamp. Just pulling a record from the sleeve and honoring the analog ceremony of stylus meeting groove.

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The PS-LX3BT is where the journey begins. This is a Gen Z-friendly “just push play” deck, with one-button full-auto playback, a built-in phono equalizer, and an attached RCA cable so you can be listening as soon as your speakers turn on. Or, with Bluetooth built in (SBC, and aptX Adaptive with compatible devices), just skip the cord. Stream to some new earbuds instead. No shopping for one more box. Low drama, high payoff. A USB output with three-level gain control even lets you digitize your crate-digging easily. Under the clear dust cover (perfect for admiring a colored collectible), you’ll find an integrated cartridge, aluminum platter, and support for 33 1/3 and 45 RPMs (so those 7″ singles will play just as well as the 12″ LPs). Pre-sale starts today at $399.99.

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The PS-LX5BT (below) is the upgrade, there to welcome back vinyl lovers with the same conveniences, plus a more rigid one-piece body, a step-up cartridge on an aluminum tonearm, a rubber mat, and circuit refinements that suppress vibration to preserve purity. It’s still automatic, but intended to deliver a richer, wider presentation. There’s the same wireless flexibility, augmented by a higher-grade wired signal path that you can further refine thanks to the removable cable and gold-plated audio jack. And USB output is still on deck, along with that same speed support in an equally clean, minimalist silhouette. It’s not about more features; it’s about more composure. When you get to that track, you’ll stop folding laundry and admire the gatefold. Pre-sale arrives this spring for $499.99 USD.

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This one’s built like a warm overshirt that doesn’t mind ugly weather. You get a flannel exterior, a fleece-lined interior, and a water-repellent finish. It’s a great all-season option that you can keep in the car or wear every day.

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The post Sony embraces analog and aesthetic with new turntables appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[James Webb Space Telescope solves a comet crystal mystery]]>A 'cosmic highway' may explain the journeys of some space silicates.

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The post James Webb Space Telescope solves a comet crystal mystery appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/comet-mystery-webb/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731648Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:45:00 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceNASASpaceSpace TelescopeSome of the solar system’s most distant comets can be very confusing. Many contain crystalline silicates that only form after exposure to high heat, which doesn’t make a lot of sense to astronomers. These comets spend most of their time inside the extremely cold Oort cloud and Kuiper Belt, at temperatures averaging -450 degrees Fahrenheit. So why the heat-related silicates?

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You can have never too many hoodies, and they’re roughly $20 with this deep discount. It’s soft on the inside, tough on the outside, and has a great graphic that actually looks cool on the front.

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After years of speculation, scientists finally believe they have figured out the crystal conundrum thanks to new imaging from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Their explanation, detailed in a paper published this week in the journal Nature, indicates the answer resides near a distant, young star about the same size as our sun.

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All the deals

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EC 53 is only one of thousands of protostars forming inside the Serpens Nebula about 1,300 light-years from Earth. Like its many siblings, EC 53 is encased by extremely hot dust and gas—exactly the type of environment capable of forging crystalline silicates. It’s also temperamental. After around 18 months of relative calm, the protostar starts a roughly 100-day feeding frenzy in which it inhales the surrounding dust clouds. Meanwhile, outflow jets purge some of this material out to the edges of its protoplanetary disk. 

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After aiming the JWST’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) towards the protostar, astronomers identified and mapped the locations of certain materials during EC 53’s active and dormant cycles. They soon noticed crystalline silicates like forsterite and enstatite don’t remain near their stellar birthplace. Jeong-Eun Lee, a study co-author and astronomer at South Korea’s Seoul National University, now believes EC 53 and similar protostars toss their newly created silicates into deep space during these meal times.

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    This illustration represents half the disk of gas and dust surrounding the protostar EC 53. Stellar outbursts periodically form crystalline silicates, which are launched up and out to the edges of the system, where comets and other icy rocky bodies may eventually form.
    This illustration represents half the disk of gas and dust surrounding the protostar EC 53. Stellar outbursts periodically form crystalline silicates, which are launched up and out to the edges of the system, where comets and other icy rocky bodies may eventually form. Credit: NASA, ESA, CSA, Elizabeth Wheatley (STScI)
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    “EC 53’s layered outflows may lift up these newly formed crystalline silicates and transfer them outward, like they’re on a cosmic highway,” explained Lee. “Webb not only showed us exactly which types of silicates are in the dust near the star, but also where they are both before and during a burst.”

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    Doug Johnstone, a study co-author and principal research officer at Canada’s National Research Council added, “Even as a scientist, it is amazing to me that we can find specific silicates in space, including forsterite and enstatite near EC 53.These are common minerals on Earth. The main ingredient of our planet is silicate.”

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    While EC 53 has been growing for millions of years, the protostar is far from finished. Lee, Johnstone, and their colleagues estimate the protostar may remain surrounded by its dust cloud for another 100,000 years. During all that time, miniscule rocks and debris should continue to to collide and merge into the building blocks of future gas and terrestrial planets. In the end, a new star system similar to the one orbiting the sun will emerge from EC 53—and its ejected silicates may very well be on their way towards their own comets.

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    The post James Webb Space Telescope solves a comet crystal mystery appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>en-US<![CDATA[This robot hand can detach from its arm and crawl around]]>Talk to the (robot) hand.

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    The post This robot hand can detach from its arm and crawl around appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/technology/robot-hand-crawl/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731638Thu, 22 Jan 2026 10:27:00 -0500TechnologyEngineeringRobotsEngineers in Switzerland recently created a detachable, spider-like robot hand capable of grabbing multiple objects and using its fingers to crawl. The unsettling device, reminiscent of a threatening video game creature, can separate itself from a mounted robot arm, tip-toe (or really, tip-finger) its way toward small objects, pick them up, and carry them on its back.

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    The symmetrical design and flexible fingers mean that the robot can transport objects on either side of its body. For humans, that would look like holding a ball in your palm while simultaneously grasping a piece of fruit on the back of your hand. But the robot hand’s designers say this bizarre form factor is more than just the product of a creepy fever dream: it’s an example of a design that’s more efficient than the human hand, unburdened by natural selection’s pesky constraints. 

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    The researchers from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology detailed their findings this week in Nature Communications at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne.

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    “Evolution is a slow process, whose path is influenced by a variety of developmental and environmental constraints,” the team writes. “It does not explore all that could be possible.”

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The accompanying video shows the robot hand, still attached to its arm mount, picking up a mustard bottle before flipping over and grabbing a can of potato chips using the opposite side of its palm. In another example, it easily lifts a tomato with two fingers while holding a second object between fingers on its far side. The hand then detaches from the arm and scurries forward towards a bannana, flips it upward and secures it on its backside using a single finger.

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Mixing human dexterity with an Octopus’ multimodal movement 

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According to the team, the robot hand’s fully symmetrical design allows its five fingers and dual thumbs to move with as much flexibility backward as they do forward. That adaptability means it can simultaneously hold up to three different objects, with a combined weight of around five pounds. All that added range of motion gives it the ability to replicate 33 different types of human grasping motions.

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”Despite its remarkable capabilities, the human hand’s asymmetrical shape and single opposable thumb, as well as inherent attachment to the human arm, limit its functionality,” the researchers write. 

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Though the design is meant to address the biological limitations of the human hand, it also takes some inspiration from nonhuman animals. Specifically, the researchers point to octopuses and certain insects that use their finger-like limbs to move around and manipulate objects in their environments at the same time. Octopuses, in particular, are capable of opening jars faster than some humans.

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There’s also precedent for this kind of dexterity in robotics. Spot, Boston Dynamics’ dog-like quadruped developed, uses its four limbs to walk, but it can also use an additional claw-like appendage to pick up objects and open doors.

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- Related Robotics Stories

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Dancing robot is the size of a grain of salt

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A robot bat sheds new light on how they hunt in darkness

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https://www.popsci.com/technology/robot-bat-hunting/

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Robot hands are becoming more human

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More fingers aren’t always better 

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To build their robot hand, the engineers began by creating a digital library of human hand grasp postures. They then used a computer algorithm to determine the optimal level of movement and number of fingers to solve both for grabbing and moving. 

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Interestingly, more fingers aren’t always better. Each additional finger adds mass, increasing the chances that fingers will collide, and making overall movement more clumsy. Researchers found that increasing the finger count from three to five improved the hand’s crawling efficiency, but adding more beyond that resulted in diminishing returns.

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Related: [Robot hands are becoming more human]

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This approach to robot design runs counter to the growing trend in humanoid robots. Major tech companies in the emerging robotics space—including Figure and Tesla—are investing heavily to create hands that instinctively mimic human design. The underlying idea is that designing robots to function like humans allows them to perform tasks humans already do, without needing any additional specialized equipment.

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The hand crawler takes a different approach. While it’s not yet clear whether this design will be implemented in other robots, one can imagine a humanoid using a hand crawler  to perform factory work, then deploying the removable hand to reach distant objects or rummage through narrow, cluttered spaces. 

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Of course, if all else fails it could also always be used as an incredibly over-engineered prop on a horror film set. 

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The post This robot hand can detach from its arm and crawl around appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Snow isn’t actually white]]>Winter wonderlands are only possible thanks to a sparkly light trick.

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The post Snow isn’t actually white appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/why-snow-is-white/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731469Thu, 22 Jan 2026 09:02:00 -0500ScienceAsk Us AnythingEnvironmentWeatherWhen someone says “as white as snow,” it’s easy to envision what they’re talking about. We often think of snow as a dazzling white, the same way we immediately conjure up a color when someone says “blood red” or “ocean blue.” 

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But here’s the thing: snow isn’t actually white. It’s just tiny ice crystals, afterall, and ice, like water, looks clear to the naked eye. So why, then, does snow appear white? We talked to a couple of experts to find out: Their answers might surprise you.

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What is snow? 

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Before determining why a fresh blanket of snow looks white, it helps to know what snow is. 

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    “Snow is just simply ice,” Jonathan Belles, a senior digital meteorologist for The Weather Channel app and Weather.com, tells Popular Science. All rain starts off as snow, he says, but often melts as it descends through warmer pockets of air before hitting the Earth. Even those warm summer showers in July begin as snow. 

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    In order for snow to actually fall to Earth, it must remain frozen as it falls through different temperature layers above the ground. In other words, it needs to be cold all the way from the clouds to the ground. 

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    How do snowflakes form?

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    The reason snow appears white has to do with those beautiful natural artworks we call snowflakes. When it snows, “there’s a lot of traffic on the way down,” says Belles. The air, he explains, is riddled with tiny particles like dust, soot, and pollen. For a snowflake to form, a freezing water droplet attaches itself to one of those floating dust, soot, or pollen particles.

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    As that ice particle falls, more and more minuscule bits of water vapor freezes to it. Due to the way water molecules bond together when they freeze, a tiny hexagonal form begins to appear. And eventually, you end up with a beautiful six-sided shape we call a snowflake. 

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    A snowflake under a microscope. You can see it's six-sides and the pointy shape it makes. The picture is in vignette because of the microscope's lens.
    While each snowflake is unique, they all have exactly six points due to the way water molecules freeze. Image: DepositPhotos
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    Due to their intricate crystal form, snowflakes reflect light almost like a mirror, and this causes snow to look white. But how exactly does that work?

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    Why does snow appear white? 

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    Mark Serreze, the Director of the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colorado, tells Popular Science that to understand why snow looks white, we have to look to the sun.

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    Sunlight “emits all colors of the visible spectrum: red, orange, yellow, blue, green, indigo, and violet.” When these colors hit snow, each multi-sided ice crystal, or snowflake, scatters the colors like a tiny prism. All those colors shine equally in all directions, and our eyes, in turn, perceive all those colors colliding as white. 

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    But why then does ice and snow look distinct, one clear and one white? “The difference between ice cubes and snowflakes is how light reacts with them,” says Belles. 

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    “Sometimes with an ice cube, the light will be able to go straight through it. But with snow we’ve got this kind of broken mirror effect, with light bouncing off of all of those jagged edges.”

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    Snow can be other colors, too

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    Despite its immaculate reputation, snow isn’t always white. 

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    “Most of the time, snow does look white,” says Belles. “But things like sand grains might turn snow a little more golden brown, or snow might gain a red hue when there’s rust, or even bacteria or algae” in the air or on the ground.

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    Take what’s known as “watermelon snow” (a.k.a. pink snow, blood snow, or red snow). These patches of red-hued snow are the result of Chlamydomonas nivalis, a type of cold-loving green algae that thrives in freezing water. The red color comes from a bright red carotenoid pigment that acts like a sunscreen, protecting the algae’s green chlorophyll from harmful UV rays and making snow appear pinkish to reddish. It’s a phenomenon that’s common in high-altitude, snowy areas, such as California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, the French and Italian Alps, and Asia’s Himalayas. 

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    A rocky landscape with a band of pink snow running through it. There are conifer trees in the distance.
    Watermelon snow, also known as pink snow, blood snow, or red snow, is commonly found in high altitudes. This shot of pink snow was taken along Beartooth Highway (US-212) in Montana. Image: DepositPhotos
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    In Antarctica, penguin droppings (guano) often stain snow pink due to pigments from the foods they eat, most notably krill. 

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    Then there’s the bluish tint of glaciers, often seen in places like Iceland and Alaska. This coloring occurs because deep, compact ice absorbs light’s longer wavelengths—like reds and yellows—and scatters shorter blue wavelengths back toward our eyes. 

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    What is albedo? 

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    Albedo is the measure of how much sunlight a surface reflects. While zero albedo means a surface has no reflection at all (freshly paved asphalt has almost zero albedo), one albedo (100 percent reflection) stands for a perfectly white surface.

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“A grass lawn might have an albedo of 0.20,” says Serreze, with tiny molecules called chlorophyll absorbing the red and blue lights that grass needs for photosynthesis, but reflecting green light since grass doesn’t use it in photosynthesis. 

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“Very fresh snow can be 0.85 [albedo], or even a little higher, meaning it’s very reflective. However, if you start putting particulates on the snow, like soot or smoke, its reflectivity drops.” 

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    When snow is full of added particulates, it also absorbs more energy. This causes the snow to melt faster, because darker colors absorb the sun’s rays rather than reflect them as white does. Quickly melting snow has a negative impact on the world’s water sources, causing water scarcity, which contributes to negative global warming trends.

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    - Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories

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    The coldest body temperatures humans have survived

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    What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains.

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    Do you need more sleep in fall and winter? Probably.

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    What are some other factors that affect the ways we see snow? 

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    Clouds can also often play a role in the way snow looks. “For instance,” says Serreze, “they can contribute to what we call a whiteout,” a severe and dangerous winter weather condition in which it’s nearly impossible to distinguish between snow and sky. 

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    Low-lying stratus clouds, the kind that cover the sky like a sheet, and a snow-covered surface will reflect light equally, completely messing with your depth perception. It’s often referred to as “flat light,” meaning it’s a diffused light that eliminates shadows, making everything appear uniform. 

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    There’s also what’s known as photokeratitis, or snow blindness. “Think of snowflakes as the tiny parts of a broken mirror stuck together. Shine a flashlight into those parts and you’re going to blind yourself. When the sun’s light hits all those individual snowflakes, it scatters that light straight back at you,” says Belles.

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    Snow’s ability to reflect the sun’s UV light is why you can also get major sunburn when skiing or outside in the snow. Consider wearing sunglasses or wrap-around goggles when it snows to protect your eyes, and use plenty of sunscreen to guard against UV rays. 

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    And next time you look at a blanket of freshly fallen white snow, remember that what you’re really seeing is all of the colors of the rainbow. Those colors just appear to be pristine white. 

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    In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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    The post Snow isn’t actually white appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>en-US<![CDATA[Snow monkeys love hot springs. They’re also good for them.]]>Bathing in central Japan's steamy springs can change the primates' gut microbes and parasites.

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    The post Snow monkeys love hot springs. They’re also good for them. appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/japanese-snow-monkeys-get-more-than-just-relief-from-hot-springs/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731614Wed, 21 Jan 2026 16:08:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyScienceWildlifeWhen the temperatures plunge and snow falls, it’s understandable to envy a snow monkey soaking in a steaming hot spring. Officially called Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata), the primates are well known for taking advantage of the warm waters during snowy winters. While the hot water helps keep their bodies toasty in parts of Japan that can be covered with feet of snow for months at a time, there may be more to this unique behavior than meets the eye. 

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    “Hot spring bathing is one of the most unusual behaviors seen in nonhuman primates,” said Abdullah Langgeng, a Ph.D. student at Kyoto University. 

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    Unusual and also potentially beneficial. Bathing like this may influence the macaque’s parasites and gut microbes, according to a study Langgeng co-authored that was recently published in the journal Primates.

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    Japanese macaques live on three of Japan’s four main islands (Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu) as well as the smaller islands of Awaji, Shodo, Yakushima, Kinkazan, and Kojim. Their northern limit is on the tip of Honshu Island.  Over three feet of snow can cover parts of this area  for several months out of the year and temperatures can reach as low as -4 degrees Fahrenheit. The snow monkeys who live here are considered the world’s northernmost wild populations of all non-human primates.

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    In the study, the team traveled to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in central Japan’s Nagano prefecture on Honshu Island. Over two winters, the scientists monitored a group of female macaques, comparing those that regularly bathed in the hot springs with the ones that did not. They also collected fecal samples to monitor the monkeys’ parasites and ran genetic sequencing on the organisms in their gut microbiome. 

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    Combining the observations and testing helped the team test whether or not bathing influences the macaque holobiont—a biological system made up of a host and all of the parasites and microbes associated with it. 

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    Japanese macaques, commonly referred to as snow monkeys,” take an open-air hot spring bath, at the Jigokudani (Hell’s Valley) Monkey Park in the town of Yamanouchi, Nagano prefecture on December 7, 2012. Some 160 of the monkeys inhabit the area and are a popular tourist draw. Image: KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images.
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    They found that bathing in hot springs subtly reshapes the snow monkeys’ relationships with their parasites and gut microbes. The macaques that bathe showed different lice distributions and gut bacteria. Soaking in the warm water may disrupt louse activity or egg placement within their fur.

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    As for the gut microbes, the team observed similar subtle shifts. Overall microbiome diversity was similar between bathers and non-bathers. However, several types of bacteria were more abundant in the monkeys who did not bathe. Despite concerns that shared hot springs may increase exposure to intestinal parasites, the bathing macaques did not have higher parasite infection rates or intensities than those that stayed out of the water.

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    According to the team, these results demonstrate how behavior can shape the parasites and microbes living on and inside an organism and are an important driver of animal health. It also underscores just how complex behavior-health links are in wild animals, suggesting that hot spring bathing influences some host-organism relationships, but not others.

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    “Behavior is often treated as a response to the environment,” Langgeng added. “But our results show that this behavior doesn’t just affect thermoregulation or stress: it also alters how macaques interact with parasites and microbes that live on and inside them.”

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    Showing that animal behavior can selectively shape what types of microorganisms are living on their fur or inside their guts can help researchers understand how actions that influence animal health evolved. It can also help us better interpret changes in the microbiome in social animals.

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    While more research is needed, it also shows parallels to how human cultural practices such as bathing can affect microbial exposure. While clean water is essential for health, this work challenges the assumption that sharing water sources in natural conditions like hot springs increases disease risk.

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    The post Snow monkeys love hot springs. They’re also good for them. appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Do trees really explode in extreme cold?]]>The answer involves frozen sap, the polar vortex, and a lot of internet exaggeration.

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    The post Do trees really explode in extreme cold? appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/do-trees-explode-from-cold/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731597Wed, 21 Jan 2026 14:03:14 -0500ScienceAsk Us AnythingClimate ChangeEnvironmentHealthThe majority of the United States is bracing itself for a potentially historic polar vortex winter storm this weekend. The lower 48 states could experience average temperatures of 11 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit, while those in the North and Midwest will likely see that number drop to -25 degrees or lower. But aside from the bitter subzero temperatures, mountains of snow, and damaging ice, some news and social media posts are warning of a completely different kind of problem.

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    “EXPLODING TREES are possible in the Midwest and Northern Plains on Friday and Saturday, as temperatures are forecasted to fall 20 degrees BELOW zero!” Max Velocity, a popular meteorology account, cautioned his over 262,000 Facebook followers on January 20.

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    Another widely syndicated news article proclaimed,“Meteorologists warn that temperatures falling 20 degrees below zero could cause trees to split suddenly, posing risks to people, homes, vehicles, and power lines across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan.” 

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    Although the “exploding tree” phenomenon is a real thing, the underlying physics isn’t as worrisome as it sounds. But to understand this relatively common occurrence, it’s far more crucial (and potentially lifesaving) to know about the climate that causes trees to rupture.

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    What is a polar vortex?

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    The winter deluge set to inundate as many as 230 million people in the U.S. this weekend is only possible through a combination of both the polar vortex and the ongoing climate crisis. Although the vortex usually only makes headlines as it bears down on the country, it’s actually one of the two air formations constantly swirling above the planet’s polar regions. 

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    In the Northern Hemisphere, the polar vortex remains above the Arctic for most of the year, but occasionally stretches further south after interacting with an unusually warm upper atmosphere. Combine that with moisture from California and the Gulf of Mexico, and you get a mass of bitterly cold air, heavy snowfall, and life-threatening conditions. 

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    The opposite happens in the Southern Hemisphere, when the polar vortex around Antarctica creeps northward. However, the southern Antarctic polar vortex outbreaks do not typically reach as many populated areas as the northern Arctic polar vortex does.

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    If it feels like polar vortex storms are occurring more often than in the past, you’re probably onto something. Multiple studies show a clear increase in linked weather events, many fueled by rapidly warming Arctic temperatures. That certainly seems to be the case right now.According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, Arctic sea ice is currently at an all-time low for this time of year.

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    A polar vortex outbreak can quickly turn deadly once it arrives. Anyone without proper protection from the freezing temperatures could start to see the beginning stages of hypothermia within an hour of direct exposure. Downed power lines, automobile accidents, and delayed first responders only add to the dangers, while temperatures often remain below freezing long after the weather subsides.

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    - Read more about weather preparedness

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    Can trees really explode?

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    Although many people on the internet are warning about exploding trees, it’s not exactly worth the worry. That’s not to say they don’t happen. Naturalists have described similar experiences for centuries—but few (if any) cite their deadly consequences, and they’re definitely not as dramatic as they literally sound.

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    Premium 1922 & waxed canvas

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    “In the great frost in 1683, the trunks of oak, ash, walnut, and other trees, were miserably split and cleft, so that they might be seen through, and the cracks often attended with dreadful noises like the explosion of fire-arms,” wrote 18th-century Scottish botanist John Claudius Loudon in his Encyclopaedia of Gardening. “In the frost of 1837–8 large bushes of heath had their stems split by the frost into shreds, and the wood of the evergreen oak and that of the sweet bay was cracked and split in a similar manner.”

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    Some Indigenous cultures are so familiar with the occurrences that they use them to mark their lunar calendar cycles. For example, the Lakota people of the Dakotas designate one winter period as Cannápopa Wi, the “Moon When Trees Crack From The Cold.”

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    Trees explode—or, more accurately crack—similarly to how you lost a favorite water bottle after leaving it in the freezer for too long. Once temperatures dip below 32 degrees, the sap inside certain trees begins to solidify and expand. If it is particularly frigid, around -20 degrees or lower,the outside bark shrinks faster than the bark on the inside. Eventually, the stress wins out and causes the exterior to snap, producing a loud “bang” in the process.

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    “This is most likely to happen on clear, calm nights, especially late night into early morning when temperatures fall quickly,” meteorologist Shawn Cable explained. “It can happen to a lot of different types of trees, but some common ones around here include maples, ash, apple or crabapple, poplar or cottonwood, and willow, along with younger trees that haven’t yet developed thicker bark.”

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    Also, be extremely careful when operating a generator due to a power outage. Improper use can result in carbon monoxide poisoning and other dangers.

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    Skateboarding & collaborations

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    If power does go out, follow these tips to help keep you and your family warm safe.

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      In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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      The post Do trees really explode in extreme cold? appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>en-US<![CDATA[How Nissan improved the wireless charging pad for faster phone juice-ups]]>Using a magnet to connect the transmitting and receiving coils, electrons behave more consistently and the phone is less likely to overheat.

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      The post How Nissan improved the wireless charging pad for faster phone juice-ups appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/technology/nissan-phone-charger/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731581Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500TechnologyVehiclesIn-car wireless chargers are notoriously finicky. Your phone can slide off the slippery charging pad at a sudden stop,  or overheat and stop charging; the case can also prevent your phone from connecting. Often, it’s a pain in the neck, not to mention an added distraction while you’re behind the wheel. Different manufacturers have tried various solutions, like Ram’s grippy upright charger, which features an anti-slip mat and an LED indicator that makes it clear when the phone is charging. However, online Ram forums and Reddit show that users still find their phones overheat, fail to charge, or require removing protective cases to work. No car manufacturer has really solved this most modern problem—yet.

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      Automaker Nissan is staking its claim on wireless charging with its 2026 Pathfinder and Murano vehicles, both of which feature newly designed, built-in wireless chargers that keep your gadgets cool and in place while you’re on the move. Plus, Nissan says it’s the first automaker to offer Qi2 wireless charging in the US since the Wireless Power Consortium released the latest version of the Qi2 standard in July 2025. This updated standard supports a consistent 15W charging rate, up from the spotty 5-15W maximum rate set way back in October 2015, when the Qi Extended Power Profile was first introduced. That means one of these Nissans can and will charge your phone at the same rate as plugging it into a wall in your office. 

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      Nissan’s Qi2 wireless charging solution includes a magnet and a fan, elements that help keep the phone in place and keep it cool. For users, that means less charging angst and more certainty that phones will be charged as expected. For as much as America lives and dies by their smartphones, that’s a critical element. 

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      An LED light indicates the phone’s charging status. Image: Nissan
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      Thermal management and more wattage

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      Qi, as defined by tech leviathan Lenovo, is a universal wireless charging standard that uses electromagnetic induction to transfer power from a Qi-enabled charging pad to a device. The key to seamless power transfer is a coil inside both the charging pad and the device; the pad generates an electromagnetic field, which the coil in the smartphone converts to energy that charges the battery. 

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      Those coils must remain aligned for optimal charging. Smartphones aren’t one-size-fits-all, and there are different sizes and shapes that don’t all fit neatly on the charging pad. Nissan has addressed the issue by integrating a raised magnetized circle above the pad that lines up the coils and gets the electrons moving. 

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    “If you misplace your phone or it shifts while driving, you’re not going to enjoy a full speed of charge because that off position means you’re losing a lot of charging efficiency to heat,” says Nissan engineer Matt Zimmerman. “By positioning the phone correctly, you’re going to be able to enjoy the maximum efficiency of the charger more at the time.” Plus, if you’re the kind of driver who likes to take corners like a racecar driver, your phone is likely to become a projectile unless it’s securely attached. 

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    Zimmerman helped build the new charger from the Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Wattage and thermal management are key for this technology, he says, for maximum efficiency. It’s critical the wattage from the charging pad exceeds the power usage by the device; otherwise, users will find the phone just gets hot and stops charging. 

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      “Keep in mind that if you’re running Spotify, Apple Maps, Waze, or something like that, you can be using almost five watts just to keep your phone operating those tasks, even with the screen off,” Zimmerman says. “With previous generation chargers that have a limitation of five watts, you’re barely keeping pace.”

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      Thermal management has been a common challenge in earlier generations of wireless charging systems. The addition of a fan in Nissan’s design reduces the amount of generated heat for both the pad and the phone, in turn reducing the risk of overheating. Like anything else (and most people), smartphones don’t work well when overheated. Further, they charge faster when cooler, so cooling is not just preventative but efficient. 

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      car interior
      Nissan’s new charging pad uses a raised magnet to connect the coils inside the pad and receiving device. Image: Nissan
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      Stick it and go 

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      Using a magnet is a simple concept, but it works. Some devices—like later model iPhones, for example—have camera lenses that protrude from the body of the device. Placing a phone with these types of protrusions on a charging pad means it’s not lying flat, and thus is not connected as securely or as evenly. 

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      When you place a phone on a charging pad, the phone and pad are in constant negotiation with each other, Zimmerman explains. 

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      “When a phone overheats, it’s talking to our charging pad and our car and communicating that it needs to negotiate a lower charge amount,” he says. “So, keeping the phones and the charging devices properly aligned helps keep them cool. This is all really important to maximize charging speed.” 

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      Nissan also includes an LED light for charging indication; a solid orange light means charging is in progress, and a green light shows the phone is fully charged. A flashing orange light indicates a foreign object is detected, like keys or a wallet that might be getting in the way of your digital lifeblood. 

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      The new wireless charger is a standard feature on the 2026 Murano, already available at dealerships, and on some 2026 Pathfinder models, expected to start showing up on dealer lots early this year.

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      The post How Nissan improved the wireless charging pad for faster phone juice-ups appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>en-US<![CDATA[Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip make situational awareness look clean]]>These earbuds pack the original LinkBuds philosophy of staying connected to your music and the world into a new open-ear cuff-style.

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      The post Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip make situational awareness look clean appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/sony-linkbuds-clip-open-ear-bluetooth-earbuds-product-announcement/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731522Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:15:00 -0500GearAudioEarbudsSony’s LinkBuds have always been contrarian. Back in 2022, years before open-ear Bluetooth earbuds were a trend, the original LinkBuds arrived with a donut-shaped ring radiator that hovered at the edge of the ear canal, letting a bit of the world leak in like daylight through blinds. The new LinkBuds Clip keeps that always-aware idea, that link to the world, but trades the sci-fi circle for something a little more convenient as you run errands: an ear cuff-style wireless clip-on so you can stay social, stay aware, and stay in the groove. The C-shaped body and upper band are accommodating to a wide range of ear shapes and sizes, and they spread pressure to avoid soreness. Plus, there are removable Fitting Cushions you can reposition to further stabilize them for different anatomy and different days.

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    No, this style isn’t new, just new to Sony. But with its intentionally wearable colorways (black, greige, green, lavender), the LinkBuds Clip reads like an accessory, not a gadget. And on top of that, there are equally colorful case covers so you can create monoblocking masterpieces. They can go with an outfit, not just be part of your gym uniform. But just because the LinkBuds Clip doesn’t look as industrial as other open earbuds doesn’t mean there’s not tech and tuning instincts from the 1000X series packed in.

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    Inside, there’s a 10mm driver that sits outside your ear canal and fires sound in. Sony builds in three listening modes you can tap-switch thru—Standard playback, Voice Boost for podcasts and voice-led videos, and Sound Leakage Reduction if you’re sharing a particularly quiet environment. Backing those sound profiles are some flagship personalization features in the Sound Connect app, including DSEE upscaling for restoring streaming music’s detail, 360 Reality Audio for spatialization, Adaptive Volume, and a 10-band EQ with presets. When it comes to the call stack and intelligibility, a bone-conduction sensor helps capture your voice, while AI noise reduction scrubs the background. There’s also Multipoint Connection (using the SBC/AAC Bluetooth codecs) and an IPX4 rating for sweat and light splashes. Battery life is rated up to 37 hours with the case, and a 3-minute quick charge can buy about an hour of listening.

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      We’ve been testing a pair around the house (see below), and the consensus is they’re cute, comfy, and fashion-forward ear jewelry enough to want to wear them out and about. But talking fit, not just your fit, they feel good even if you’re lying on your side on the couch listening to podcasts, which not all in-canal earbuds do. And the sound is pretty full (not to be confused with loud), considering you’re not ensconsed in a noise-cancelling bubble. We’ll share more impressions as we spend time with them.

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    The post Sony’s new LinkBuds Clip make situational awareness look clean appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[World’s oldest-known rock art found in Indonesian cave]]>The claw-like drawing of a human hand is roughly 67,800-years-old.

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    The post World’s oldest-known rock art found in Indonesian cave appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/oldest-rock-art/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731559Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500ScienceArchaeologyA drawing of a claw-like hand on the wall of a cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia is now the oldest known rock art in the world. The roughly 67,800-year-old art exceeds the previous record holder in the same region of Southeast Asia by 15,000 years or more. The drawing is detailed in a study published today in the journal Nature, and helps fill in the archaeological timeline of how and when Australia was first settled. 

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    What are hand stencils?

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    The cave paintings were discovered by an international team of researchers preserved in limestone caves on one of Sulawesi’s satellite islands called Muna. The team found a fragmentary hand stencil on the wall. 

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    A hand stencil is an outline or template of human hands that are often found on ancient cave paintings. The hand may have been made by tracing the hand (or using it as a stencil), putting charcoal powder into a reed like a straw and spraying the powder around the hand’s shape, or simply eyeballing it. Some hand stencil. Some hand stencils are engraved into the wall rather than painted on. Hand stencils have been found in caves in Europe, North America, and throughout Southeast Asia. 

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    The post This Dickies winter clearance sale has pants, jackets, hoodies, flannels, and more up to 70% off appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Winter storms uncover 19th-century shipwreck on New Jersey beach]]>The ‘Lawrence N. McKenzie’ sank in 1890 loaded with oranges from Puerto Rico.

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    The post Winter storms uncover 19th-century shipwreck on New Jersey beach appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/shipwreck-beach-new-jersey/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732074Wed, 28 Jan 2026 15:32:00 -0500ScienceArchaeologyNew Jersey beachgoers could be forgiven for mistaking a pile of recently spotted debris for washed up driftwood, but the staff at Island Beach State Park say the find is much more notable. According to park officials, erosion caused by weeks of high winds and intense surf has revealed a portion of a nearly 140-year-old shipwreck.

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    “It is now evident from our new phase of research that Sulawesi was home to one of the world’s richest and most longstanding artistic cultures, one with origins in the earliest history of human occupation of the island at least 67,800 years ago,” Maxime Aubert, a study co-author,  archaeologist and geochemist from Australia’s Griffith University, said in a statement. 

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    The wreck of the Lawrence N. McKenzie

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    Map showing the island of Muna, Sulawesi. -
    Map showing the island of Muna, Sulawesi. Image: Generated by M. Kottermair and A. Jalandoni using ArcGIS.
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    On March 21, 1890, a ship named the Lawrence N. McKenzie was nearing the end of an over 1,600 mile journey. The 98-foot-long schooner’s eight crewmembers expected to soon reach New York City with a cargo full of oranges, but they never reached their destination. 

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    Additionally, the team found that this hand stencil is a globally unique variant of this ancient art motif. After the stencil was created, it was changed to deliberately narrow the negative outlines of the fingers. The result is a more claw-like hand. Why the artist used narrowed fingers is not exactly clear.

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    Contemporary accounts reported the ship soon became stranded in a heavy fog near Barnegat, New Jersey. Although rescuers successfully saved the entire crew and their captain (who shared the schooner’s name), the vessel wasn’t so lucky. It had already taken on at least six feet of water by the time it was abandoned, and the McKenzie eventually succumbed to the Atlantic Ocean waters. 

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    “This art could symbolise the idea that humans and animals were closely connected, something we already seem to see in the very early painted art of Sulawesi, with at least one instance of a scene portraying figures that we interpret as representations of part-human, part-animal beings,” study co-author and archeologist Adam Brumm added.

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    The McKenzie didn’t have a particularly long career at sea. Constructed in 1883 in Essex, Massachusetts, it spent less than seven years in service. It was valued at around $9,000 at the time, and contained about $2,000 worth of citrus when it sank into the Atlantic in 1890.

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    Timelines and travel routes

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    Close up of wood from 19th century shipwreck on beach
    The ‘McKenzie’ sailed for less than seven years before its wreck. Credit: New Jersey State Parks
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    The team believes that this also has far-reaching implications for understanding the history of Australian Aboriginal culture. 

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    Revealed by winter waves and wind

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    “It is very likely that the people who made these paintings in Sulawesi were part of the broader population that would later spread through the region and ultimately reach Australia,” said Dr. Adhi Agus Oktaviana, a study co-author and rock art specialist from Indonesia. 

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    Not a single trace of the McKenzie was seen again for almost 136 years, but seasonal conditions in the area finally made it possible.

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    The timing of initial human occupation of Sahul—the Pleistocene-era supercontinent that is now Australia, Tasmania, and New Guinea—has been debated among archeologists. In what scientists call the short chronology model, the first people entered Sahul about 50,000 years ago. In the opposing long chronology model, people arrived at least 65,000 years ago. 

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    “Beach erosion during the winter months is common at Island Beach State Park and is part of a natural, cyclical process. Each year, high-energy waves and seasonal storms remove sand from the shoreline, resulting in narrower beaches and steeper profiles,” Island Beach State Park officials wrote on social media. “Most beaches recover from the erosion during the calmer summer months—but for now, this winter’s erosion has revealed a glimpse into the park’s maritime history.”

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    a scientists wearing a had lamp shines a light on a cave painting
    Dr. Adhi Agus Oktaviana illuminates another hand stencil found on Sulawesi. Image: Supplied by Max Aubert
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    Island Beach State Park staff are keeping an eye on the weathered, wooden framework until maritime archaeologists can further examine the discovery. While they’re fine with admiring the unique find at a distance, they also issued a warning to any would-be historical plunderers.

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    “This discovery strongly supports the idea that the ancestors of the First Australians were in Sahul by 65,000 years ago,” Dr. Oktaviana added. 

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    “Touching or removing any part of these resources is prohibited. Violations are subject to summonses issued by the New Jersey State Park Police,” they cautioned.

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    The post Winter storms uncover 19th-century shipwreck on New Jersey beach appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Angry yelling can throw a dog off balance]]>Your tone does more than startle your pet.

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    The post Angry yelling can throw a dog off balance appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/dogs-react-angry-yelling/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732069Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsDogsPetsScienceWhether it’s the sound of food being poured into a bowl or the front door opening, a dog’s ears are on alert. Noises picked up by their highly-attuned senses can also affect their balance. A small study in Austria found that balance is stabilized and destabilized when dogs hear both happy or angry human voices. However, the angry voices were the most destabilizing. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal PLOS One.

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    Researchers also believe that there were two main migration routes into Sahul. The northern route to the New Guinea portion of this landmass went through Sulawesi and the Spice Islands. In the more southerly route, sea voyagers traveled directly to the Australian mainland via Timor or nearby islands. 

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    A stable posture helps dogs (and humans) stand still, walk, and run without falling. In order to maintain stability, the muscles rely on visual cues and the body’s sense of its own position. For humans, external sounds may also influence our body’s stability, with high-pitched frequencies linked to destabilization and white noise linked with stabilization. However, not many studies have examined how sounds affect animals’ posture and stability.

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    ���With the dating of this extremely ancient rock art in Sulawesi, we now have the oldest direct evidence for the presence of modern humans along this northern migration corridor into Sahul,” said Renaud Joannes-Boyau, a study co-author and archaeologist at Southern Cross University in Australia. 

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    In the new study, a team at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, measured changes in balance in 23 pet dogs upon hearing both happy and angry human voices. To do this, they placed the dogs on a pressure-sensing platform that picked up the dogs’ small movements.

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    With funding from the Australian Research Council, the team will continue to look for more ancient art and other archaeological finds. 

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    When the team tallied the individual changes of all 23 dogs, the responses varied. Happy voices were linked with destabilization for 57 percent of the dogs. Surprisingly, happy voices were also linked to destabilization for 43 percent of the dogs tested. Angry human voices were associated with the most severe destabilization in 30 percent of dogs, while 70 percent did not show any changes to their balance.

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    “These discoveries underscore the archaeological importance of the many other Indonesian islands between Sulawesi and westernmost New Guinea,” Aubert concluded. 

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    The post World’s oldest-known rock art found in Indonesian cave appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[The 10 weirdest and wildest musical instruments of 2026]]>The 28th annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition includes a Fiddle-Henge, a modified bicycle wheel, and a 'Demon Box.'

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    The post The 10 weirdest and wildest musical instruments of 2026 appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/technology/weirdest-musical-instruments-2026/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731536Wed, 21 Jan 2026 10:35:20 -0500TechnologyEngineeringInternetScienceIt’s that time of the year again. No, not the Super Bowl or the Academy Awards—it’s time to announce the finalists for the 28th annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition. From March 13-14, creators from around the world will assemble at Georgia Tech in Atlanta to demonstrate their unique, innovative, and frequently bizarre music-making contraptions. 

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    According to the team, these findings suggest that both happy and angry human voices can trigger an emotional response that affects a dog’s balance. However, the sample size is small, so additional research on a larger pool of dogs is needed to draw major conclusions. Future studies could explore if an animal’s prior experience affects its reactions, and if freezing in response to happy voices is related to waiting for their human to approach. 

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    The post Angry yelling can throw a dog off balance appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Roadkill is a surprising and untapped source for scientists]]>Millions of animals unfortunately die on roads each year, but the casualties hold important data.

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    The post Roadkill is a surprising and untapped source for scientists appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/roadkill-science-research/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732047Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:01:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsConservationScienceSustainabilityWildlifeRoadkill isn’t the most pleasant of subjects. As much as people try to avoid it (and not contribute to it), the untimely animal deaths are an unfortunate, inevitable byproduct of a society reliant on cars. In Brazil alone, it’s estimated that anywhere between two and eight million birds and mammals are killed on roadways every year. In Europe, the potential tally may climb as high as 194 million.

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    The top ten selections include entries from Australia, Poland, India, and the United Kingdom, but all of this year’s instruments push the boundaries of musicality, performance, and artistry in new, unexpected ways. This year, entrants include the seven-foot-tall synthesis of a double-bass and the classical Indian instrument known as a rudraveena, a “cyborg woodwind,” as well as a device that converts the invisible electromagnetic waves all around us into a “scientific séance.”

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    While viral headlines occasionally highlight various roadkill gourmands, the expired creatures actually have many other benefits. A team of biologists at Australia’s Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) investigated what happens when scientists frequently use these natural cadavers in their own work. According to their findings recently published in the journal Biology Letters, roadkill is being tapped for a wide array of investigations—but the possibilities are even greater and more sustainable than most people realize.

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    Last year’s first-place winner, the Chromaphone, was a collaborative project that utilized a simple, flat surface to generate synthesizer tones. It remains to be seen what will take the top spot and a $10,000 prize in March, but it’s gonna be hard to top last year’s Dinosaur Choir.

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    “Because the animals are already dead, researchers can often avoid live capture and handling, aligning perfectly with global animal-ethics principles that encourage replacing invasive methods wherever possible,” study co-author and RMIT biologist Christa Beckmann explained in a statement.

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    Take a look at this year’s contestants below. (Click to expand images to full screen.)

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    Along with colleagues from Western Sydney University, Deakin University, and Trent University, Beckmann evaluated 312 peer-reviewed studies from 67 countries around the world that focused on goals “other than enumerating or mitigating roadkill.” They tallied at least 650 species—mostly mammals,followed by reptiles, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. In total, the team identified around 117 different use cases for roadkill in various scientific projects.

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    The Amphibian Modules

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    “We found examples of successfully using roadkill to map species distributions, monitor disease and environmental pollution, study diets, track invasive species, [and] supply museum collections,” Beckmann said. In some instances, she added that roadkill also helped identify local populations previously believed extinct and even included species “previously unknown to science.”

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    Close up of Amphibians Modules instgrument showing a tangle of multicolor synthesizer cables
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    Beckmann knows the streetside casualties aren’t appropriate for all research projects and come with their own biosafety considerations, but still believes there are far more uses for them waiting to be explored.

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    This modular synth swaps patch cables for a pool of salt water. Its engineering forces components to communicate through liquid, creating a “liquid circuit” where chemical currents and ripples shape the signal. The result is evolving, organic audio that behaves more like a living organism than a machine.

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    “While roadkill will always be tragic, using these losses wisely could help drive scientific discovery and conservation forward, rather than letting valuable information decompose by the roadside,” she said. 

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    The post Roadkill is a surprising and untapped source for scientists appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Megalodon could become Maryland’s official state shark]]>The 66,000-pound prehistoric predator once stalked the Bay State's waters.

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    The post Megalodon could become Maryland’s official state shark appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/megalodon-state-shark-maryland/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732042Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:28:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyDinosaursEvolutionScienceSharksWildlifeIn a state better known for its delicious seafood and as the home of the United States Navy, there’s a new effort to create the country’s first state shark. Earlier this month, Maryland State Senator Jack Bailey and House Delegate Todd Morgan filed SB135 to designate the megalodon (Otodus megalodon) as the official state shark. 

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    The Demon Box

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    While the mighty megalodon is not swimming along the shores of the Bay State now, the enormous prehistoric shark relative once dominated the shallow seas that covered Maryland and the rest of the Atlantic coastal plain. They lived about 23 million years ago (during the Miocene Epoch), before going extinct about 3.6 million years ago. They were about three times bigger than a modern great white shark. Some estimates put them upwards of 82 feet long and 66,000 pounds. They primarily ate whales and the ancestors of dolphins and manatees, while their young hunted seals.

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    Woman's hands manipulating triangular synth instrument called the Demon Box
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    But why should “the meg” be the state shark of Maryland? The beaches along southern Maryland are full of megalodon fossils—particularly their giant teeth. Megalodon teeth have been found in several counties including Anne Arundel, Caroline, Calvert, Charles, Dorchester, Prince George’s, and St. Mary’s. Citizen scientists and paleontologists alike have also uncovered teeth from other non-megalodon prehistoric shark species including Galeocerdo contortus and Galeocerdo triqueter (similar to modern day tiger sharks) and Sphyrma prisca (a relative of the hammer head shark).

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    A device that turns the invisible electromagnetic world into an instrument of “scientific séance.” Using a grid of 33 inductors, it captures frequencies from everyday electronics—like phones and drills—converting them into 3-channel audio, MIDI, and control voltage. Its triphonic design allows performers to “bow” or “strike” the signals of the modern world to sculpt everything from melismatic drones to synesthetic visuals.

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    several shark teeth
    An assortment of fossilized shark teeth, as photographed by Dennis Garcia and submitted to the 2013 DNR Photo Contest. Image: Dennis Garcia / Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
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    EV

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    Calvert Cliffs State Park in southern Maryland is a common spot for digging up teeth and the Calvert Marine Museum has a number of fossils on display. Paleontologists believe that Maryland was once a whale and dolphin calving ground and nursery for hungry megalodons. A roughly 15-million-year-old fractured whale vertebrae and tooth uncovered in Calvert Cliffs even shows evidence of a possible megalodon attack. 

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    A four stringed wooden instrument with mini computer boards on the main body
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    “Turns out no state has a state shark, so we’re hoping Maryland is the first,” Dr. Stephen Godfrey, curator of paleontology at southern Maryland’s Calvert Marine Museum, told WMAR Baltimore. “To me, this is such an iconic animal. I think it’s time for megalodon to take center stage as the first shark designated as a state shark.”

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    This isn’t just an electric violin; it’s a computer disguised as fine lutherie. Built with a curly maple body and four embedded Bela Mini computers (one per string), it uses infrared pickups to analyze every nuance of a bow stroke. The result is a seamless fusion of acoustic warmth and digital synthesis that responds instantly to the player’s touch.

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    If the bill is approved by Maryland’s General Assembly and signed by Governor Wes Moore, the designation would take effect October 1, 2026. The megalodon would join Maryland’s other state symbols, including the Baltimore oriole (state bird), jousting (state sport), and walking (state exercise).

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    The post Megalodon could become Maryland’s official state shark appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Americans planted entire forests of exploding Australian trees]]>Plus beaver skulls and other weird things we learned this week.

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    The post Americans planted entire forests of exploding Australian trees appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/eucalyptus-trees-weirdest-thing-podcast/https://www.popsci.com/?p=732036Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:00:00 -0500ScienceThe Weirdest Thing I Learned This WeekWhat’s the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you’ll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopSci’s hit podcast. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It’s your new favorite source for the strangest science-adjacent facts, figures, and Wikipedia spirals the editors of Popular Science can muster. If you like the stories in this post, we guarantee you’ll love the show.

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    Fiddle-Henge

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    Four green fiddles attached around a circular center piece
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    A towering robotic sculpture that mounts four green violins around a bass drum. Instead of human hands, a motorized spinning disk acts as an “infinite bow,” while servos tilt the instruments to switch strings. It blends 3D-printed tech with antique automata, generating everything from stuttering mechanical rhythms to endless, meditative drones.

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    FACTS: Beaver Skull Obsession, Aussie Widowmakers, Koalas Eating $#!%

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    Gajveena

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    By: Jess Boddy

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    A double bass combined with an Indian classical instrument
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    This week on Weirdest Thing (and for the next few episodes), I’ll be hosting the show without Rachel while she’s away on parental leave. That means I’m bringing on pairs of my favorite creator friends to host the show with me!

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    Standing nearly seven feet tall, this “bass-veena” hybrid fuses a double bass with Indian classical design. Its hollow neck acts as a sound conduit, channeling audio to a second resonator right by the player’s ear. Engineered with curved brass frets, it allows massive, microtonal string bends previously impossible on a bass.

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    This week, we’ve got two of the funniest people I know—rickypeacock and MattyisTalking. These two are members of the Goo Crew stream team, have RP walked across all of Azeroth, and made YouTube essays about Charlie Brown’s capitalist nightmare. I asked these two certified weirdos to research their favorite science-adjacent topics for the show, and I think we ended up with a pretty dang good episode.

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    Kalíptera

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    Matty explained how, after seeing Zootopia 2, he simply could NOT stop thinking about beaver skulls. He was finding moments to steal away and Google them. So when I asked him to dig deeper into something for Weirdest Thing, of course it was beavers.

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    Wooden instrument with djembe-like musical attachments
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    And what he found was fascinating. Sure, we already know beaver butt glands secrete vanilla-scented substance. But now there are new revelations on how they change the environments they live in for the better. Some researchers are even calling them ecosystem engineers and climate heroes for how their work can help prevent or lessen the intensity of wildfires. 

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    A “winged” hybrid that evolves the kalimba into a semi-autonomous digital instrument. Its dual resonance boxes are connected by an articulated hub, mapping the opening and closing motion of the “wings” to complex sound processing. Using real-time spectral analysis inspired by George Lewis’s Voyager, the instrument generates its own musical responses to create a non-hierarchical duet between the performer’s physical gestures and the machine’s digital brain.

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    My fact for this week also had to do with wildfires, specifically those on the west coast that are fueled by eucalyptus trees. It turns out, none of those are native to the United States—they all came from Australia. Back in the mid 1800s, folks in the US thought eucalyptus was the solution to some major timber shortages. Those mattered a lot when we were building heaps of railroads, for instance. But introducing the trees didn’t exactly go as planned. While they did offer some environmental benefits (like windbreaks, shade, and soil quality improvements), they turned out to be completely useless for timber you’d use to build railroads. But there were already forests full of them out west (if you live in California, you’ve seen them). And they’re also saturated with very flammable eucalyptus oil, turning them into tree bombs when set ablaze. That’s not a great combo with a biome known for wildfires. And that’s not the only reason they’re dangerous—listen to the full episode to hear how they got their Aussie nickname, the “widowmaker.”

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    The Lethelium

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    I learned all about these trees on my recent trip to the Blue Mountains, which is about two hours west of Sydney and totally blanketed in eucalyptus forests. In fact, they’re why the Blue Mountains are blue. Ricky also visited Sydney a few weeks ago, and decided to regale us with all of his strangest koala facts. Tune into Weirdest Thing this week to hear all about how they run on the ground at “full” speed (it’s not very fast), have brains as smooth as marbles, and grow to the size of 35,000 jellybeans.

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    The post Americans planted entire forests of exploding Australian trees appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[From bones to steel: Why ice skates were a terrible idea that worked]]>The long, strange journey from prehistoric bone skates to the high-tech blades of today.

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    The post From bones to steel: Why ice skates were a terrible idea that worked appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/technology/ice-skates-history/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731988Wed, 28 Jan 2026 09:01:00 -0500TechnologyArchaeologyFitness & ExerciseHealthScienceFrom figure skating to ice hockey, many of the most popular winter sports stem from a long history of people simply playing around on ice skates. Part of what makes a good skater so fun to watch is the juxtaposition of their clear technical skill and the seeming effortlessness with which they glide across the ice. They make it seem so natural. But if you step back and think about it, strapping what are in a sense thin knives to your feet and charging out onto a field of slick ice seems like an objectively wild thing to do. So when and why did humans first create ice skates? And how did they become a ubiquitous and beloved staple of winter fun?  

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    Instrument that resembles a bicycle wheel
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    These questions are surprisingly hard to answer, both because we don’t have a ton of archaeological or historical sources on early ice skates and because only a few researchers have explored them. Popular accounts of the history of ice skating are riddled with errors, Bev Thurber, one of the rare specialists in the field, tells Popular Science. And experts differ in their interpretations of the artifacts and accounts we do have.

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    Built around a bicycle wheel rim, this 24-string instrument looks like an alien artifact. It spins on a cymbal stand, allowing musicians to strike, pluck, or bow its “spokes” to create sounds ranging from a harp to a steel drum. It’s an upcycled, industrial sound machine that turns scrap metal into a chromatic orchestra.

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    But we know a few things about the evolution of ice skates with relative certainty. Such as the fact that the earliest ice skates weren’t made of sharpened metal, but instead of smooth bone. 

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    The Masterpiece

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    Early ice skates were made of bone

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    A touch-sensitive synth instrument
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    Although pop histories often claim that ice skates emerged around 3,000 BCE in what is now Scandinavia, there’s actually no clear historical basis for that claim. In reality, no one is sure when the practice of ice skating emerged. The best we can say is that, over the course of the second millennium BCE peoples from Central Europe to the Eurasian step cut long bones from animals like sheep and cows to fit the size of their feet. These early innovators then drilled holes through the bones and threaded leather straps through them. They tied these simple devices to the bottom of their general-use footwear, and set off onto the ice. 

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    Shaped like a puzzle piece, this open-source synth prioritizes accessibility without sacrificing power. It uses pressure sensors rather than touch, allowing it to be played with any object or assistive device. Users change sounds by swiping RFID-tagged fabric swatches, helping players with disabilities build auditory-tactile connections while creating complex, polyphonic loops.

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    Many historians assume that these ancient “bone skates” were utilitarian devices, used for fast transit along frozen rivers and lakes. In 2007, two biophysicists experimenting with replica bone skates concluded that they did require less energy expenditure than walking on the same ice. 

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    Post-Digital Sax

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    A photograph of two long, smoothed animal bones—historically used as ice skates—resting in a padded green museum transport case. A person in white gloves is carefully holding the top bone.
    A pair of Viking ice skates made from bone. They were strapped to feet and the skater propelled themselves with a pole. With the flat bottom, they were pretty much useless for figure skating. Image: Contributor / Star Tribune via Getty Images
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    Four angles of the post-digital sax Hammond-like VERTO
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    However, Thurber, who made and experimented with her own bone skates, says they’re not the most practical mobility tools. For starters, they only work well on clear ice, which is not easy to find in nature. Even then, smooth and slick with residual fats and oils, the bones slide around too easily to allow people to simply push off with their feet alone. So users likely relied on sticks for propulsion. But even with sticks, Thurber says, “It’s almost impossible to stop or turn.”

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    A cyborg woodwind that merges a real vibrating reed with a digital brain. Instead of tone holes, electromagnets manipulate the reed to change pitch, allowing for impossible notes and infinite bass. It combines the raw, acoustic feel of a sax with joystick-controlled looping and digital manipulation.

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    “The evidence for practical use is pretty weak,” she argues. Instead, she thinks people mainly used them for fun. In 1180, William Fitzstephen, a former secretary to the murdered Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, recorded one of the earliest accounts in English of people using bone skates. He describes people using them to play on frozen marshes, rather than make their way to work. 

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    VERTO

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    The first metal skates

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    Man playing
    Credit: Guthman Musical Instrument Competition
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    In the 13th century, craftspeople in what is now the Netherlands swapped out bone for strips of wood embedded with iron blades. These wood-and-iron skates were then likewise strapped to people’s shoes. No one’s sure why artisans made the shift. They may have been building on a prior innovation, since lost to history.

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    Imagine a Hammond organ played with “The Force.” You wear magnetic pickups on your fingertips and hover them over spinning tonewheels to generate sound. This purely analog instrument turns proximity into volume and pitch, letting you sculpt electricity directly with the wave of a hand—no physical contact required.

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    “There are a lot of unknowns surrounding the transition from bone to metal skates and the development of edge-pushing,” says Thurber.

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    The 28th annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition will take place March 13-14 at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.

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    The post The 10 weirdest and wildest musical instruments of 2026 appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Why does chocolate turn white? It’s not mold.]]>No need to worry—some molecules just moved around.

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    The post Why does chocolate turn white? It’s not mold. appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/why-chocolate-turns-white/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731417Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:01:00 -0500ScienceAsk Us AnythingFood SafetyHealthNutritionA few years ago, a small baker from the West Coast had a problem. A day or so after baking chocolate chip cookies, the chocolate chips would develop an unpleasant white haze. Confused, she reached out to Richard Hartel, a professor of food science at the University of Wisconsin.

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    Niko Mulder, another early skating expert, speculates that these early metal skates may have started out as a status symbol. But if that was the case initially, by the 1300s, even the common folk used them. 

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    Hartel studies foods like chocolate and ice cream, and he gets questions like this all the time. So what was going on with those chocolate chips? 

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    The rapid adoption of metal blades likely reflects the superior control and mobility they offered. While bones slide over clean ice, blades actually liquify the ice directly below them, creating a sort of track for the skate. The water fills imperfections in the ice, allowing for a smooth glide, and then freezes over again as the skate moves on. This meant not only a drastic increase in speed, but the development of techniques for propulsion without the aid of a stick and for making rapid, fluid turns—that is to say, the birth of ice skating as we know it. 

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    What is chocolate bloom?  

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    A studio photograph against a white background featuring a pair of antique American ice skates from the mid-nineteenth century. The skates consist of worn wooden foot platforms with rusty metal blades underneath that curve upward into dramatic, large curls at the front. Dark, weathered leather straps are attached to the wooden bases for securing them to a wearer's boots.
    These metal ice skates were made in the U.S. sometime between 1840 and 1859. Image: Heritage Images / Contributor / Getty Images Unknown
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    Chocolate may look uniform and solid to the naked eye, but if you looked at it under a microscope you would see that it’s actually a mixture of cocoa particles, sugar crystals, and (in milk chocolate) milk powder, all held together by cocoa butter. 

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    Over the next few centuries, craftspeople developed little improvements, like the addition of small spikes and later curves or wedges on the toe of a blade for added stability. But as metal skates spread across Europe and beyond, the basic design remained fairly consistent—likely because it was relatively cheap and efficient, and many people just wanted to use skates for idle fun. 

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    Sometimes, some of those ingredients move around—and that’s what makes the chocolate turn white or “bloom.”

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    Ice skates meet mass production

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    There are two main kinds of chocolate bloom: sugar bloom and fat bloom.

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    The next big jump in skate technology comes with the popularization of skating in England and America. Skates already had a long history in these countries, but clubs dedicated to skating emerged in the former in the 18th century and the latter in the 19th century.  As Sean Maw, a sports engineer who works on speed skate design, points out, the early industrial revolution changed the way people saw and used their leisure time. Sports in particular grew more organized and specialized. And people were eager to apply new materials and mass manufacturing techniques to equipment.

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    Sugar bloom: the fridge effect

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    As organized speed skating emerged, it created demand for longer, thinner blades that would spread a skater’s weight out so they wouldn’t cut as deep into the ice—and would allow for a longer push on each stride to build up momentum. As hockey professionalized, it created new demand for tweaks to blades that’d allow for fast stops and quick turns. And as figure skating evolved from competitions where contestants literally etched a set of designs into the ice into a balletic display involving jumps and spins, it created demand for the development of “toe picks,” the jagged tip you see on some ice skates that help with takeoff and landing. 

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    When you take a cold chocolate bar out of the fridge and leave it unwrapped on the counter, water from the surrounding warmer air can condense on the cold chocolate’s surface (just like condensation on a cold window pane). That moisture dissolves some of the sugar on the surface of the chocolate. When the water evaporates, the sugar is left behind in the form of tiny crystals, creating a white, powdery coating.

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    A sepia-toned historical photograph from 1909 in Graz, Austria, capturing a large group of people gathered on an ice rink. The crowd consists of men in formal coats and bowler hats, women in long skirts and ornate wide-brimmed hats, and several young children in winter caps. Many in the group are wearing antique ice skates, and the background shows a snow-covered hillside with bare trees.
    This vintage photograph taken in February 1909 shows a group of ice skaters in Graz, Austria. Image: Public Domain
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    This is called sugar bloom. The chocolate is still good to eat, just not very pretty.

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    Dig around in 19th century patents, as Thurber has, and you’ll also find some wild ideas that never made it to production, like skates that convert into roller blades. However, you’ll also find spikes and clamps that allow for a more stable attachment between shoes and skates, and metal frames that slowly displaced wood slats. 

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    To avoid it, Hartel says “chocolate should be wrapped well for storage in the refrigerator or freezer, then allowed to warm to room temperature before unwrapping.” This prevents condensation from forming on the chocolate.

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    Look at old skates from this period and you’ll also notice a ton of subtle adjustments to the curve of the bottom of the blade, which determines how long it stays in contact with the ice over the course of each stride, and to the grinding and etching of the metal’s edge. By the early 20th century, decades of experimentation and incremental adjustment gave birth to the activity-specific boots-with-built-in-skates most of us are familiar with. 

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    A woman in a pink apron or dress tempers some chocolate. The melted chocolate is in a stainless steel bowl and she holds some up to the camera on a wooden spatula.
    In order to achieve chocolate’s glossy look and melt-on-your-tongue texture, bakers must carefully heat and cool the chocolate in a process known as tempering. Image: DepositPhotos
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    Ice skates keep developing

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    Fat bloom: when chocolate gets old or warm

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    Dedicated sports engineers and tinkerers alike continue to fine tune specialized skate designs. But biomechanics expert and skate designer Dustin Bruening tells Popular Science that “the most interesting thing about skate development over the past century is the lack of development.” 

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    Chocolate can also turn white even when it’s not stored in the fridge. “Think of leaving a chocolate bar in the car on a hot summer day,” says Hartel. “After it cools, it often develops a white, hazy coating.” (Of course, you might not have noticed because you ate the chocolate too fast. That’s totally normal.)

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    The last major change in design was the “clap skate,” developed through the 1970s and ‘80s and popularized among speed skaters in the ‘90s. These skates’ blades are not fully attached to their boots, with a hinge at the front allowing the heel to lift away and the metal edge to remain on the ice. 

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    This white, hazy coating is called fat bloom, and it happens when cocoa butter inside the chocolate slowly changes its shape.

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    However, the idea for clap skates notably dates back to the 19th century, Maw points out, and just languished until an engineer finally found the right materials and design adjustments to make the concept work. Although some grumbled about the shift, speed skaters adopted this innovation because it gave users a clear acceleration advantage. 

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    Cocoa butter is made of fat molecules that can arrange themselves in six different crystal shapes (which chemists call ‘polymorphs’). Chocolate makers want one special form—called Form V—because it gives chocolate that special glossy look and melt-on-your-tongue texture. They create this form by carefully heating and cooling the chocolate in a process called tempering.

    +
    An action photograph of a speed skater in a blue and black racing suit mid-stride on an ice rink. The skater is leaned forward in a low, aerodynamic crouch, showing the specialized clap skate in action: the heel of the left boot is lifted significantly off the long metal blade, which remains flat against the ice thanks to a hinge at the toe. The background shows the blurred blue padding of the rink's perimeter.
    German speedskater Monique Angermüller wears clap skates while competing at the 2008 speedskating world cup in Heerenveen, the Netherlands. Image: McSmit / CC BY-SA 3.0
    -

    But over time, especially in warm places (like a sunny windowsill or a hot car), Form V can change into a more stable form called Form VI. These larger crystals scatter light instead of reflecting it, making the chocolate look dull and white.

    +

    Other innovative designs, like a figure skate with a hinged ankle, which Bruening and his colleagues developed to better absorb the harsh impact of jumps, have struggled to gain traction. Bruening believes the market for specific skate types is just too small, the cost of development and rollout too high, and the cultural inertia too strong for some changes. But Maw points out that big innovations also run into resistance because, like the shift from bone to metal, they can alter the nature of skating. 

    -

    Hartel explains that fat bloom “can form on chocolate at almost any temperature, although it is generally slowed as temperature goes down.” That’s why chocolate brands recommend storing chocolate in a cool environment, ideally around 57 to 61 degrees Fahrenheit (the equivalent of 14 to 16 degrees Celsius).

    +

    “Claps changed who was a good speed skater,” he says. “They took away an emphasis on technique and instead emphasized power.” Clap skates are also more expensive than other skates, he adds, so they changed the calculus for getting into the sport. 

    -

    Some chocolates are more susceptible to fat bloom than others. In 2008, scientists from Canada and Sweden looked at chocolate under a microscope. They discovered that chocolate with a microscopically rough surface was more likely to form fat bloom. All those tiny cracks create more places for fat crystals to grow.

    +

    None of this means skates have stopped evolving, Maw explains. Most modern innovation just focuses on fine-tuning materials and designs—and the prospect of developing bespoke blades for each athlete’s body. But Maw hopes that experimentation will also lead to the development of cheaper skates as well, so that more people get a chance to glide across a field of ice. 

    -

    Filled chocolates—like ones with peanut butter centers—are even more likely to bloom. The liquid fat from the filling can move into the chocolate shell, speeding up the process and making the chocolate soft and messy.

    +

    In The History of Every Thing, Popular Science uncovers the hidden stories and surprising origins behind everyday things.

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    The best chocolate chip cookie recipe, according to science

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    Is microwave cooking nuking all the nutrients?

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    What are ultra-processed foods and are they bad for me?

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    Does eating spicy food help you lose weight? Science has a clear answer.

    +

    Ketchup was once a diarrhea cure

    +

    Pilates started in a WWI internment camp

    +

    How WWII made Hershey and Mars Halloween candy kings

    +

    Lip balm’s surprising history from earwax to Lip Smackers

    +
    +

    How WWI and WWII revolutionized period products

    +
    +

    The post From bones to steel: Why ice skates were a terrible idea that worked appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[The first Lego Star Wars sets to support the SMART Brick start shipping in March, but you can pre-order them right now]]>LEGO's screen-free digital smart blocks are starting off with a Star Wars-sized bang. Finally, the X-Wing will make the "pew pew" noises all on its own.

    +

    The post The first Lego Star Wars sets to support the SMART Brick start shipping in March, but you can pre-order them right now appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/lego-smart-play-star-wars-sets-pre-order-smart-block/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731998Tue, 27 Jan 2026 16:48:05 -0500GearLEGO’s new SMART Play Star Wars sets are now up for pre-order -

    So what about that baker’s cookies?

    - - +

    We first met LEGO’s new SMART Play and Smart Blocks back at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show. These enhanced sets use embedded SMART Tags, SMART Minifigures, and responsive SMART Bricks to add interactive digital elements to play sets without requiring the use of a screen. So, kids (or adults who still enjoy fun) don’t need to pair the Smart Bricks to a phone or tablet to take them out of the imaginative space. Now, LEGO has a total of eight SMART Play sets for pre-order and they’re Star Wars-themed. It looks like those credit card bills we racked up during the holidays are going to have to wait a little longer to get paid off.

    -

    Hartel studied the problem and found that the cookie dough didn’t have enough fat. During baking, fat from the dough normally moves into the chocolate chips, changing how the cocoa butter cools and helping prevent bloom. 

    +

    What is LEGO SMART Play?

    -

    “Think about the texture of chips that have been baked in the cookie, it’s soft and gooey, not at all hard like the original chip that was mixed in the dough,” says Hartel. “That’s the result of fat migration, whether it’s butter or shortening.” Without enough fat, the chips cooled the “wrong” way and bloomed.

    +

    LEGO SMART Play is LEGO’s attempt to make physical bricks behave a little more like a game without putting a screen in front of a kid’s face. The sets use embedded RFID-style tags and simple motion sensors hidden inside certain bricks and Minifigs. When pieces move, tilt, or combine in specific ways, the system recognizes what’s happening and triggers built-in responses, like sounds or physical feedback, directly from the model. There’s no app running the show and no screen to stare at.

    -

    Once the baker added more fat to her cookie dough recipe, the problem disappeared. “It was so successful she sent me an enormous basket of goodies for Christmas that year,” Hartel recalls. “Another case of being paid in food or candy as a consultant.”

    +

    LEGO SMART Play Star Wars sets (pre-order now)

    -

    The bottom line

    -

    Chocolate bloom is caused by sugar or fat molecules moving around, and usually it’s just a cosmetic issue. 

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    + +

    LEGO SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing

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    + LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Luke's Red Five X Wing set +
    + + Pew pew. + +

    LEGO

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    If it’s only on the surface, the chocolate will taste fine—“there is no effect other than the visual turn-off,” says Hartel. 

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    -

    But if the chocolate is very old and the bloom has spread deep inside, the chocolate will be cracked, dry and crusty, possibly with a waxy aftertaste, says Hartel. 

    +

    SMART Play: Luke’s Red Five X-Wing is one of the most important sets in the lineup because it’s a full All-In-One kit. That means it actually includes the electronics that make SMART Play work, not just the bricks around them. Inside the box you get a rechargeable SMART Brick, two SMART Minifigures, and a handful of SMART Tags that act like physical “instructions” the system can read.

    -

    He confesses to having a chocolate Santa that’s about 30 years old. “Not for eating,” he says.

    +

    The SMART Brick snaps directly into the X-Wing’s structure. When the ship is tilted, moved, or interacted with, the brick detects that motion and responds with sounds and feedback. It makes engine noise when you swoop it through the air, blasts when you pull a firing lever, and produces different reactions depending on which minifigure is placed nearby. The SMART Minifigures (including Luke and R2-D2) have embedded identifiers, so the brick knows who’s in the cockpit and changes its behavior accordingly.

    -

    In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

    -

    The post Why does chocolate turn white? It’s not mold. appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Meze Audio builds on its success, literally, with new STRADA headphones]]>These closed-back dynamic driver headphones retune elements of the 109 Pro and LIRIC II into a private listening room you can carry. Plus iFi has introduced its latest flagship listening station.

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    The post Meze Audio builds on its success, literally, with new STRADA headphones appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/meze-strada-dynamic-driver-closed-back-headphones-product-announcement/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731059Wed, 21 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500GearAudioHeadphonesMeze Audio has the ability to present headphones as an expression of design, ritual, feeling. The trick is making engineering feel like craftsmanship, and the Romania company’s new STRADA is no different. If you’ve followed PopSci’s Meze headphones coverage—from the 105 SILVA being framed as a wearable refuge to the POET’s “whirlwind romance” of design and sound—STRADA continues that same human-first thread, but with the door gently pulled shut behind you. It’s a closed-back dynamic driver headphone that offers enough isolation to lean into a voice, a kick drum, a little studio air.

    +

    The SMART Tags are flat, printed tiles that tell the system what role a section of the build is playing—fuel, repairs, weapons, communications, and so on. Move a tag, swap it, or combine it with a different action, and the brick responds. Because it includes the SMART Brick and charger, Luke’s Red Five X-Wing can also act as the hub for other SMART Play Compatible sets. Once you have this one, you can expand the collection by adding cheaper sets that don’t include electronics of their own but still plug into the same interactive system.

    +

    LEGO SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing

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    - Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones on a model in a concrete courtyard + LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Throne Room A Wing
    - + This set comes with everything you need to get started with SMART Play. -

    Meze Audio

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    LEGO

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    STRADA is built around a 50mm dynamic driver platform first introduced in the 109 PRO, newly retuned for closed-back control. The carbon fiber-reinforced cellulose composite dome promises to keep treble detail clear with minimal distortion, while a semicrystalline polymer torus, coated with beryllium via Physical Vapor Deposition, adds stiffness and snap. Precision-cut 45.5° grooves refine control, and a copper-zinc alloy stabilizer absorbs micro-vibrations to reduce distortion. How that may translate to tone: punchy, defined lows, a neutral midband that lets guitars and voices keep their true color, and highs that sketch texture and space without turning tracks into a fatigue test.

    - +

    SMART Play: Throne Room Duel & A-Wing is the most complex—and most self-contained—set in the first wave. Unlike the smaller expansion kits, this one is an All-In-One package that includes two SMART Bricks, making it capable of running multiple interactive elements at the same time without relying on another set.

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    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones
    • Hero image of the Meze Audio STRADA closed back dynamic driver headphones connected to a DAP
    +

    One SMART Brick anchors the Emperor’s throne room, where physical actions like swiveling Palpatine’s chair or staging a lightsaber duel trigger sound effects, music cues, and character reactions. The second brick lives in the A-Wing starfighter, adding motion-based audio feedback when the ship is flown, tilted, or maneuvered. Because each SMART Brick tracks nearby SMART Minifigures and tags independently, the set can juggle parallel play.

    -

    All that is mounted within exotic Macassar ebony with golden-brown striations (familiar from the LIRIC II), a hand-painted deep-green magnesium chassis with a subtle metallic shimmer, and magnetically mounted pads that snap on with a reassuring little ‘yep.’ At 330 grams, with a soft cross-pattern headband that spreads pressure and lets air flow, it’s made for long sessions as bassline bloom and vocals murmur intimately. Specs stay sensible (5 Hz–30 kHz, 40 Ω, 111 dB, THD <0.1%, dual 3.5 mm jacks), and the whole thing is fully serviceable. Available from today, Jan. 21, for $/€799 worldwide.

    +
    + +

    LEGO SMART Play: AT-ST Attack on Endor

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    + LEGO Star Wars Smart Play AT attack on Endor set -
    iFiiDSD Phantom DAC/network streamer/headphone amp on a table
    iFiiDSD Phantom DAC/network streamer/headphone amp on a table
    iFi iDSD Phantom tubes
    - +
    + + Look at that marvelously goofy machine. + +

    LEGO

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    Need to turn a corner into a STRADA listening station? The recently revealed iFi iDSD Phantom is a $4,499 all-in-one DAC/network streamer/amp that’s hilariously overhill in the best way. This compact stack features quad Burr-Brown conversion, a streaming engine up to 768kHz/DSD512, DSD2048 and K2HD “remastering,” USB-B 3.0, coaxial, AES/EBU, TOSLINK and Ethernet inputs, and enough Class A power (7,747mW peak) to make even the most stubborn headphones behave. No matter what you need to stream or convert, the iDSD Phantom can feed it to 3.5mm, 4.4mm balanced, 4-pin XLR, dual 3-pin XLR, and both positive and inverted phase 6.3mm outputs. And then there’s iFi’s signature ability to season to taste, with J-FET solid state snap or GE5670 tube glow, XBass Pro, XSpace Pro, and various filters. Plus, iFi already knows what Meze’s warmth wants. The ZEN CAN Signature MZ99 was tuned around the 99 Classics’ voicing, so synergy isn’t guesswork.

    + +
    -

    We’re looking forward to auditioning one, if not both, of these for future coverage.

    -

    The post Meze Audio builds on its success, literally, with new STRADA headphones appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>en-US<![CDATA[Jabra transforms headsets into headphones with new Evolve3 75 & 85]]>Jabra's new, shockingly slim over- and on-ear headsets feature an everyday design that can transition effortlessly from professional to personal use.

    -

    The post Jabra transforms headsets into headphones with new Evolve3 75 & 85 appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/jabra-evolve3-75-85-bluetooth-headset-headphones-product-announcement/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731080Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:00:00 -0500GearAudioComputersHeadphonesPeripheralsI’m in the lobby of a Las Vegas hotel and casino, where roller bag wheels hiss across marble and slot-machine chimes compete for oxygen. Everything is auditioning for my attention, but I’m transfixed by someone reaching into a purse and pulling out headphones carrying cases so slim I assume they’re empty. But these are no hollow accessories. Inside are Jabra’s new Evolve3 line: low-profile, fold-flat headsets built for hybrid work and the hours that blur around it, engineered to disappear into your day and bag.

    +

    SMART Play: AT-ST Attack on Endor is a Compatible set, meaning it’s designed to extend LEGO’s interactive system rather than power it on its own. There’s no SMART Brick included here. Instead, the set relies on SMART Tags and a SMART Minifigure to feed information to a SMART Brick borrowed from an All-In-One kit. On its own, the set plays like a traditional LEGO Star Wars battle pack. Its real value shows up once it’s connected to an existing SMART Play system, where it functions as a reactive environment rather than a standalone toy.

    +

    LEGO SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter

    +
    - A smiling lady wearing a Warm Grey Jabra Evolve3 85 headset while she takes a meeting on her laptop + LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Darth Vader's TIE Fighter +
    + + You can hear the screaming sound it makes in your head right now. + +

    LEGO

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    - - - -

    So, the Evolve3 85 (over-the-ear, above) and Evolve3 75 (on-the-ear, bottom of the page) headphones pack easily. What’s equally impressive is what Jabra has packed inside them. They ditch the usual boom arm for Jabra ClearVoice—a deep neural network model paired with multi-mic algorithms that claims to learn what “you” sounds like in a crowded room, so there’s no more shouting in a corner. (Trained on 60+ million sentences by parent company GN’s hearing division, it promises 96% word capture; 99% in an open office.) Adaptive ANC responds in real time to both your environment and how the headset seals, and it keeps working during calls, not only in the quiet moments between them. Spatial Sound places voices with a little more front-to-back realism, so long meetings feel less like they’re happening inside your head until you throw it back in frustration.

    - - - -
    • A black Jabra Evolve3 85 headset folded on a desk
    • A black Jabra Evolve3 85 headset sitting on its charging puck
    • A black Jabra Evolve3 85 headset sitting on a desk
    • A black Jabra Evolve3 85 headset folded in its case
    - - + + See It -

    Despite the understated profile, these headphones pack stamina: up to 25 hours of calls and 120 hours of music on Evolve3 85 with ANC/busylight off (22/110 on Evolve3 75), plus a 10-minute fast charge for up to 10 more hours, and wireless charging for desk-drop life. One-touch voice access is integrated for GenAI prompts and high-accuracy transcription. Bluetooth 5.4 with LC3 codec is made for the playlists that fuel productivity. For IT teams, there’s secure Bluetooth Low Energy with a pre-paired adapter included, UC-certified virtual meeting platform variants, Bluetooth Native for direct device connections, and centralized fleet control through Jabra Plus Management; users get personal tweaks through the Jabra Plus app (with a desktop version planned for later in 2026). Replaceable batteries and parts, recycled/bio-circular materials, and TCO generation 10 certification round out the “one device you only buy once” mindset.

    + +
    -

    Who says hybrid work has to be messy? Evolve3 85 and 75 in Black arrive March 1, 2026, for $649 and $463 (list price at launch), with Warm Gray landing in April.

    +

    SMART Play: Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter is a smaller All-In-One set that includes a single SMART Brick, making it a self-contained way to try LEGO’s interactive system without committing to a larger build. The SMART Brick slots directly into the TIE Fighter and handles motion sensing, sound playback, and character recognition. Compared to the bigger All-In-One kits, this one is more focused and less theatrical. It’s primarily about vehicle play rather than scene-building, but it still pulls double duty: on its own, it works as an entry point into SMART Play, and later it can donate its SMART Brick to power larger Compatible sets once the collection grows.

    +

    LEGO SMART Play: Luke’s Landspeeder

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    - A smiling man wearing a Warm Grey Jabra Evolve3 75 headset out in public + LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Luke's Landspeeder +
    + + Maybe in the future LEGO can make it actually hover (we can dream). + +

    LEGO

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    The post Jabra transforms headsets into headphones with new Evolve3 75 & 85 appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[The swinging sex lives of Alaska’s beluga whales]]>To survive, this isolated population of only 2,000 whales needs to be smart about mates.

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    The post The swinging sex lives of Alaska’s beluga whales appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/beluga-whales-sex-lives/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731455Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyEndangered SpeciesEvolutionScienceWhalesWildlifeAmong marine mammals, beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) are particularly difficult to study in their icy habitat. To better understand and protect this endangered species, scientists must piece together bits of their lives from fragments, including one of the most important behaviors of any species—mating.

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One small population of beluga whales living in southwest Alaska’s Bristol Bay appears to have a surprising strategy. Over several years, both male and female belugas mate with multiple partners. This method may reduce the risk of inbreeding in the group of just 2,000 whales and help maintain genetic diversity. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science.

+

SMART Play: Luke’s Landspeeder is the most stripped-down set in the SMART Play lineup, and that’s by design. It’s a Compatible kit, meaning there’s no SMART Brick in the box. Instead, it includes a single SMART Tag and a SMART Minifigure meant to interact with a SMART Brick borrowed from one of LEGO’s All-In-One sets. When paired with a SMART Brick nearby, moving the vehicle or swapping tags can trigger sound effects and reactions.

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LEGO SMART Play: Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training

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+ LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Smart Play Yoda's Hut and Jedi Training +
+ + Step on the blocks and hurt your foot you will. + +

LEGO

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A surprising strategy

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Over 13 years, scientists collected genetic samples from 623 beluga whales in Bristol Bay, while simultaneously observing their ages and social groupings. The largely isolated population has little or no mixing with other populations elsewhere in the Arctic and subarctic. This degree of isolation gives biologists a unique opportunity to study them as a distinct population.

+

SMART Play: Yoda’s Hut and Jedi Training is a Compatible scene-building set focused on character interaction rather than vehicles. It does not include a SMART Brick, instead relying on two SMART Minifigures and two SMART Tags to interact with a SMART Brick pulled from an All-In-One kit. When paired with a nearby SMART Brick, actions like repositioning Luke, flipping training components, or swapping tags can trigger contextual audio responses tied to Jedi training rather than combat. Don’t worry, it still leaves lots of room for you to do the Yoda impression you’ve been practicing since you were a kid.

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The team wanted to determine which mating style this population of beluga engaged in—polygynous,  polyandrous, or polygynandrous. In polygynous mating, one male mates with multiple females, as seen in many bird species. In polyandrous animals, one female mates with multiple males, similar to what female mice do. Polygynandrous mating is when both males and females have multiple mates.

+
+ + + + + +
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+ LEGO SMART Play: Mos Eisley Cantina -

Since belugas live 30 to 50 years on average—with some living as long as 80 years—the team focused on what happens during one mating season instead of over a whole lifetime. 

+
+ + I hope it plays our favorite song. + +

LEGO

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The team found that this beluga whale population engages in a polygynandrous system, where both males and females mate with multiple partners over several years. Instead of reproductive success being dominated by a few individuals, it is more spread out. This mate switching also results in many half-sibling offspring and few full-sibling offspring and could reduce the risk of inbreeding and help maintain genetic diversity in the small population.   

+

SMART Play: Mos Eisley Cantina is a Compatible set that does not include a SMART Brick, instead using two SMART Minifigures and three SMART Tags to feed information to a SMART Brick sourced from an All-In-One kit. When paired with a SMART Brick, moving characters in and out of the space or swapping tags can trigger layered audio responses like background chatter, music cues, or character-specific reactions.

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a group of adult beluga whales swimming
An aggregation of adult beluga whales in a bay during the summer in the High Arctic. Image: Greg O’Corry-Crowe and Cortney Watt, Arctic Whale Research Program – FAU/DFO.
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According to the team, these findings upend scientists’ earlier notions about beluga mating. Since males are much larger than females and are not frequently seen with mothers and calves, researchers thought that the whales were highly polygynous. In these settings, males spend significantly more time competing for mates and only a few dominant males end up fathering most of the calves. 

- - - -

“Our findings tell a very different story,” Greg O’Corry-Crowe, a study co-author and biologist at Florida Atlantic University, said in a statement. “In the short term, males are only moderately polygynous. One explanation we think lies in their incredible longevity—belugas can live perhaps 100 years or more. Rather than competing intensely in a single season, males appear to play the long game, spreading their reproductive efforts over many years. It appears to be a ‘take your time, there’s plenty of fish in the sea’ strategy.”

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Mating matters

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LEGO SMART Play: Millennium Falcon

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+ LEGO Star Wars Smart Play Millennium Falcon -

The findings also indicate that female belugas have their own equally fascinating reproductive strategy. Instead of sticking with one partner, they frequently switch mates from one breeding season to the next. This could be a form of risk management, allowing the females to avoid pairing with low-quality males and increasing the likelihood of creating healthy and genetically diverse offspring.

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+ + We really need that Smart MiniFig Chewy. + +

LEGO

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“It’s a striking reminder that female choice can be just as influential in shaping reproductive success as the often-highlighted battles of male-male competition,” O’Corry-Crowe added. “Such strategies highlight the subtle, yet powerful ways in which females exert control over the next generation, shaping the evolutionary trajectory of the species.”

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SMART Play: Millennium Falcon is a Compatible set that leans into scale and ensemble play rather than introducing new hardware. It does not include a SMART Brick, but it does ship with four SMART Minifigures and four SMART Tags, making it the most technical expansion in the lineup.

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Two beluga whale cow-calf pairs in a shallow river estuary in the High Arctic. -
Two beluga whale cow-calf pairs in a shallow river estuary in the High Arctic. Image.
Greg O’Corry-Crowe and Cortney Watt, Arctic Whale Research Program – FAU/DFO.
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The Falcon itself is a mid-sized, sturdy build designed to be played with. When paired with a SMART Brick from an All-In-One set, those movements translate into contextual feedback: hyperspace-style audio cues, character reactions, and environmental sounds triggered by proximity and tag placement.

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According to the team, these findings underscore how important understanding mating systems is for conservation methods, particularly in small or isolated populations like the Bristol Bay Belugas. In polygynandrous systems like these, mate choice, partner switching, and shared reproductive opportunities is what spreads genes more evenly. This maintains genetic diversity, limits inbreeding, and offsets the devastating impacts a small population size can have. 

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How to pre-order LEGO SMART Play Star Wars sets

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“Understanding these dynamics matters for conservation. If only a few males father most calves, the effective population size becomes much smaller than the number of whales actually present,” said O’Corry-Crowe. 

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LEGO hasn’t announced an exact ship date yet, but all eight SMART Play Star Wars sets are available to pre-order now and will ship some time in March.

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The post The first Lego Star Wars sets to support the SMART Brick start shipping in March, but you can pre-order them right now appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Amazon’s 180 internet satellites are already too bright. It wants 3,000 more.]]>A new study determined 92% of Amazon Leo’s satellites may currently impede research.

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The post Amazon’s 180 internet satellites are already too bright. It wants 3,000 more. appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/amazon-satellite-too-bright/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731983Tue, 27 Jan 2026 15:30:00 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceInternetPrivate Space FlightSpaceTechnologyAmazon is racing to catch up to Starlink in the battle for satellite internet dominance, and it’s creating problems for everyone else. Only 180 of the proposed 3,236 Amazon Leo satellites are currently in low Earth orbit, but they’re already routinely bright enough to disrupt astronomical research, according to a forthcoming study. And of the nearly 2,000 observations conducted during the assessment, 25 percent were determined to “distract from aesthetic appreciation of the night sky.”

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The Indigenous communities of Bristol Bay were key in getting this study together. They helped study these elusive whales, melding scientific research with Indigenous knowledge to protect the belugas in a changing Arctic and subarctic. 

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Amazon announced its satellite broadband internet company, originally called Project Kuiper, in 2019, but struggled for years to get the endeavor up and running. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Starlink has made huge strides in its own satellite internet constellation—while also garnering many of its own criticisms. Amazon finally launched its first equipment into orbit in April 2025 before swapping the Project Kuiper name for Leo last November. Service is expected to begin after 578 satellites reach orbit, and Leo’s current licensing agreement stipulates it must have half of its constellation deployed by July 30, 2026.

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“We cannot afford to be complacent. Small populations still face the dangers of genetic erosion,” concluded O’Corry-Crowe. “But we can be optimistic that beluga whale mating strategies provide evidence of nature’s resilience and offers hope for those working to save and recover small populations of any species.”

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The post The swinging sex lives of Alaska’s beluga whales appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[13 gorgeous black-and-white images of the animal kingdom]]>The 2025 Nature Photography Contest features a playful fox and a muscly horse.

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The post 13 gorgeous black-and-white images of the animal kingdom appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/2025-nature-photography-contest-winners/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731306Tue, 20 Jan 2026 20:04:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsWildlifeWhile our world is filled with brilliant colors, seeing it in monochrome can be striking.

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Representatives of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) don’t sound very pleased by the progress so far, however. As the leading global consortium of astronomy experts, the IAU helps shape public space policy while also serving as the organization officially responsible for naming and classifying all celestial objects. Its Center for the Protection of a Dark and Quiet Sky also has long maintained two clearly established brightness limits for orbiting objects—one to ensure astronomical research isn’t impeded, and another to conserve the “natural beauty of the stars.”

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The 2025 Nature Photography Contest celebrates the “enduring power of black and white photography” and its ability “to deepen our connection with the natural world,” according to a press release. This year’s contest welcomed submissions from 82 countries and the winners include stunning and intimate photographs of wildlife, all in black and white.

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“The International Astronomical Union recommended an acceptable brightness limit which states that satellites in operational orbits should not be visible to the unaided eye,” the IAU authors explained in their study. “The IAU statement also defined a brightness limit for interference with professional astronomy which we call the research limit.”

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a family of penguins
“Emperors”
Emperor penguin family together after feeding the chick.
Credit: Risto Raunio / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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The IAU has repeatedly voiced its concerns about night sky light pollution, especially as multiple companies vow to send thousands of additional satellites into an already crowded low Earth orbit. So it’s particularly concerning when only 180 of Leo’s deployments are raising red flags for both the acceptable brightness and research limits. After conducting 1,938 observations of Leo satellites currently deployed, the IAU determined the equipment exhibits an average brightness magnitude of 6.28. For reference, the faintest stars seen in a perfectly dark evening sky register a 6.0 magnitude. Although that makes them faint enough to often miss with the naked eye, the satellites still frequently reflect flaring light that’s discernible without a telescope. The IAU also previously stated all satellites should be below a 7.15 magnitude, but some of Leo’s satellites were “consistently brighter.” The overall findings weren’t any better, either. 

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Photographer Lidija Novković earned top honors in the Professional category for a powerful image of a horse (seen below). Janet Gustin won the Non-Professional category for a playful photo of a fox kit nipping at its mother. Visit Exposure One for a full gallery of the honorees. (Click to expand images to full screen.)

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“For spacecraft in their operational mode, 92 percent exceeded the brightness limit recommended by the IAU for interference with research, while 25 percent distract from aesthetic appreciation of the night sky,” they concluded.

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a horse's neck and hand seen from underneath
“Zacudno”
Credit: Lidija Novković / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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The IAU notes that “based on private communication, Amazon is working on reducing satellite brightness,” including the development of a specialized dark exterior coating. At the same time, the study authors cautioned these remedies may not be enough. Leo’s current satellites all orbit at an average altitude of 391 miles, but Amazon possesses a Federal Communications Commission approval to operate at heights as low as 366 miles. That could make for an even brighter constellation—one that may drown out the constellations humans have gazed at for hundreds of thousands of years.

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The post Amazon’s 180 internet satellites are already too bright. It wants 3,000 more. appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Digg is back to take on Reddit, and you can use it now]]>There's some new competition for 'the front page of the internet'.

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The post Digg is back to take on Reddit, and you can use it now appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/technology/digg-is-back-how-to-use/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731961Tue, 27 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500TechnologyInternetDigg was one of the most popular websites of the 2000s. It brought millions of users together to share and discuss links from across the web, but lost most of its audience to Reddit after a poorly received redesign in 2010.

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a fox pup nipping at its mom
“Ouch!”
While siblings nurse below, one kit fox pup demands attention the only way he knows how – by gently biting mom’s face. The tender chaos of motherhood captured in a single frame. Even in the wild, kids compete for affection, and sometimes getting noticed means being a little bit bold.
Credit: Janet Gustin / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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Reddit is still going strong as the self-styled ‘front page of the internet’, and now Digg is back—led by original co-founder Kevin Rose, together with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The idea is straightforward and largely the same as before: To be a place where users showcase the most interesting content on the internet.

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herd of goats kicking up dirt. man in cowboy hat
“A Sea of Horns”
I took this photo on my iPhone as I was helping my sister move goats around the yards….the dust billowed up so much one could hardly see!
Credit: Rachael Ryan / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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The new Digg went live for a select number of testers in April 2025, and this month, the doors opened to the general public. The site does still have a ‘beta’ label and continues to be a work in progress. Here’s how to get started, and the features you can explore once you’ve signed up.

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a bird swimming underwater amongst school of fish
“The Dive”
Credit: Fabi Fregonesi / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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Signing up and diving in

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a polar bear's paws
“Deadly Fluff”
Thick fur hides claws and power. The bear’s paws show both strength and comfort, made to endure the endless winter.
Credit: Wouter Van Hofwegen / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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screenshot of Digg
Find communities that you’re interested in. Screenshot: Digg
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a hyena with a silhouette at night
“Ghost of the Savannah”
In the moonlit stillness of Kenya’s Shompole wilderness, a hyena emerges from the darkness – its silhouette etched in dust and backlight. The photograph captures the raw, nocturnal spirit of the African savannah, where every sound and shadow tells a story of survival.
Credit: Caesar Sengupta / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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Point your web browser at Digg.com, and you can see the basic layout of the relaunched site. You’ve got a feed of posts in the center, some featured posts and communities on the right, and more communities (represented by icons) on the left. Click anywhere you like to have a look around.

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a statue underwater covered in coral
“Holy Waters”
The iconic Christ of the Abyss statue lies in ~30′ of water off Key Largo. For decades, divers scrubbed it clean, but several years back, that became illegal, and set out for this shoot after several years of coral growth – not too much, not too little.
Credit: Chris Gug / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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Digg is very much trying to emulate the success of Reddit (and the original 2000s Digg). Posts can be replied to, bookmarked, shared, and upvoted or downvoted. To get involved with these interactive features, and to submit posts of your own, you need to sign up for a free account.

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a school of fish surrounding a marlin
“The Sardine Run”
The sardine run in Mexico is a feeding frenzy, sea lions, striped marlins, whales and the list goes on and on. The ocean truly alive.
Credit: Frederico Cerdeira / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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There should be a big Signup / Login button at the top of the Digg interface, and if you click on this, you’ll be able to submit an email address and choose a username. You can add extra information (and an avatar image) to pad out your profile, and tell people more about yourself, but you only need an email address and username to get started.

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flamingoes flying
“Flight Lines”
Photographed above Lake Magadi, flamingos lift off, their bodies forming loose diagonals across dark water. In flight, the flock becomes a study in rhythm—wings catching light in brief, alternating intervals crossing the frame. Movement becomes pattern, rendered in stark contrast from the air.
Credit: Holly Kirkland / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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You can then customize your Digg experience with content that you’re actually interested in. Open up any of the communities on the site, and you can click Join (on the right) to sign up for updates. You can see a list of posts in the communities you’re subscribed to by clicking the Digg icon (top left) then My Feed. Switch to All Digg to see posts from the site more generally.

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an animal eyeball
“Under a Veil of Algae”
Credit: Jana Hejzlarova / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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Both the My Feed and All Digg buttons come with drop-down arrows just next to them—click either of these arrows to open up a small menu that lets you sort posts in chronological order, or based on their popularity on the site (as you join more and more communities, a chronological feed can feel a little overwhelming).

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a flock of birds fly in front of moutains
“Naturally Unfolding”
At the foot of Wyoming’s Tetons the waning day brings a cast of characters together to mingle for a moment of refreshingly untouched nature.
Credit: Michael Paul / Exposure One Awards – 2025 Nature Photography Contest
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The post 13 gorgeous black-and-white images of the animal kingdom appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[How to really spot AI-generated images, with Google’s help]]>The post How to really spot AI-generated images, with Google’s help appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-spot-ai-generated-images/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731464Tue, 20 Jan 2026 16:09:44 -0500DIYAITech HacksTechnologyIt’s harder than ever to tell AI-generated images from real photographs and illustrations produced by flesh-and-blood human beings. And in recent years, the fakery produced by AI models has become a lot more realistic and a lot more convincing. We’re now firmly past the uncanny valley.

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Interacting with Digg communities

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However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to spot AI pictures: There are still signs to watch out for, checks you can make, and tools you can use to distinguish the genuine from the synthetic. As is the case with AI-generated video, you don’t have to give up just yet.

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screenshot of create post options on Digg
When you’re ready, you can contribute posts of your own. Screenshot: Digg
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You may not be able to definitively determine this one way or the other each and every time, but in a lot of cases you can make a pretty educated guess. And in an age of disinformation and AI slop, being able to make the distinction is a skill that’s worth honing.

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If you see a post that deserves some promotion—a web link or a point of view that you’re interested in, for example—click the upvote button (the up arrow) underneath it. If you see something you’re not interested in, dislike, or feel is spammy, use the downvote button (the down arrow). Posts that get upvoted (or ‘dugg’) more than others will be promoted more widely on the site.

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Use AI spotting tools

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You can comment too, by clicking in the Add a comment box under any post. As well as text, you can add GIFs or other images using the icons on the right. Comments can be upvoted and downvoted as well, so if you’re not being helpful or respectful, be prepared for your contributions to be downranked (or even reported). You might also want to check out the Digg Community Guidelines.

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Some chatbots are now putting hidden watermarks into their image outputs, identifying them as AI-generated. While these watermarks aren’t difficult to remove—a simple screenshot of the image will do it—they’re a good place to start when it comes to trying to tell if an image has been made by AI.

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It’s easy to submit posts of your own, though it’s probably a good idea to spend some time lurking and getting used to the vibe of a particular community before you add a post of your own. Click New post up at the top of the feed, and you’ll then need to choose the community you’re contributing to, and add a title and some text.

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Anything produced by Google Gemini, for example, will have what’s called a SynthID watermark embedded somewhere in it. To test the authenticity of an image, you can upload a picture to Gemini on the web, and simply ask “was this image made by AI?”. Gemini will be able to find the SynthID watermark, if it’s there.

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Further down the screen you can add images and link blocks—note that if you add a link block, then the title of the post will be automatically filled out for you based on what you’re linking to (though you can still edit it). When everything looks good, click Publish Post to put it live.

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screenshot of synthid
Google’s SynthID can be used to label AI content. Image: Google
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As the number of interactions you have on the site increases, the little notifications button (the bell icon, lower left) will come in handy. If you click your profile avatar (lower left) and then Account settings, you can configure how you want notifications to work on the site, as well as change up the Digg layout as it’s shown in your browser.

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The post Digg is back to take on Reddit, and you can use it now appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[80% of Americans may opt for cremation by 2045]]>Rising costs, shifting beliefs, and environmental concerns are accelerating the decline of casket burials.

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The post 80% of Americans may opt for cremation by 2045 appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/health/cremation-popularity-america/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731970Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:30:00 -0500HealthEnvironmentScienceSustainabilityThe casket industry may soon require life support in the United States. According to analysis from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), cremation is by far the more popular option compared to the traditional burial method. The NFDA estimates around 63 percent of all funerary requests were for cremation in 2025, compared to about 31 percent for casket burials. There’s no indication that the shift will level off anytime soon, either. By 2045, as many as 80 percent of bodies in the United States will be cremated instead of interred in the ground.

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There’s another standard way of labeling AI images, which is developed by the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA): the labeling itself is called C2PA, and it’s supported by companies including OpenAI, Adobe, and Google. If you head to a C2PA checking website such as Content Credentials, you can upload an image and get it analyzed for evidence of AI creation.

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As Axios noted, no single reason explains the shifting preferences. Instead, the transition likely reflects a combination of factors, including evolving religious beliefs, environmental concerns, as well as the simple issue of economics. In 2023, the NFDA estimated the average cost of a casket burial, accompanying viewing, and memorial service to cost about $8,300. Meanwhile, the median cost that same year for cremation by itself was only around $2,750. Similar to the continued rise in cremation numbers, inflation issues will almost assuredly keep prices rising for both options in coming years.

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If an image passes these checks, it’s not a guarantee that it’s genuine—but it’s worth running through them anyway, because they will catch some AI generations, and even tell you which model was used to make the picture in many cases. If you’re still not sure, you can move on to looking at the context around an image.

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Unfortunately, some of cremation’s growing popularity may be a bit misguided. Although often cited as a “greener” or more environmentally sustainable alternative to casket burials, the fire-based process isn’t without its own ecological impacts. The 1,400–1,900 degree Fahrenheit temperatures required to properly reduce a body to ash is usually achieved using either natural gas- or oil-fueled flames. And aside from CO2 emissions, the fires also release mercury thanks to people’s incinerated dental fillings.

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Check the context

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Alternatives to cremation offering similar results are gaining traction, however. Aquamation, as the name implies, swaps out the flames for heated water and alkali that break down a body over the course of around 12 hours. The method itself emits about 20 percent less carbon, but simultaneously produces  between 100 and 300 gallons of liquid waste that puts a strain on municipal treatment facilities.

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No image is an island: It will have come from somewhere, and been shared by someone. You can rely on respected publications (such as the one you’re reading) to honestly label images that have been generated by AI, and properly attribute other images that haven’t. You’ll know exactly what you’re looking at.

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There is no one-size-fits-all solution for a final resting place, but given that everyone eventually shuffles off this mortal coil, it’s a decision that deserves thoughtful consideration. But if you want to go out as green as possible, experts agree one option stands out from all the rest: natural burials, aka “human composting” is probably the best bet.

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The post 80% of Americans may opt for cremation by 2045 appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[The most dangerous type of precipitation isn’t snow]]>And that time the U.S. government censored the weather.

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The post The most dangerous type of precipitation isn’t snow appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/sleet-freezing-rain-difference-podcast/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731949Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:18:28 -0500ScienceAsk Us AnythingEnvironmentWeatherAs much of the country contends with an unprecedented winter storm, understanding the difference between sleet, snow, and freezing rain has never been more important. 

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On the wilds of social media of course, the lines are much more blurred. Here, content is posted and reposted without context or attribution, and it’s much more likely that something on Facebook or X has been faked. That’s especially true if the picture is designed to attract engagement, through controversy or cuteness or any of the other emotional levers that get pulled.

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In a new episode of Popular Science’s Ask Us Anything podcast, we get into all the nitty gritty details of what makes each of these winter weather events different from one another. It may surprise you just which one is the most dangerous. (Clue: It’s not snow.)

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kittens on ledge
Imagine getting six near-identical kittens to actually line up like this. Image: AI generated, Gemini Made with Google AI
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Another trick you can try, especially when it comes to images associated with news stories, is to look for complementary pictures taken from different angles. Are the pictures consistent? Do the details match up from different viewpoints and across different time periods? For illustrations and graphic art, you can again check to see if any credits have been applied: See if what you’re looking at has a link back to the artist and their portfolio.

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A reverse image search can sometimes reveal where an image has come from, and help you find other copies on the web: TinEye is perhaps the best resource for this. If there are no other matches, that points towards AI—especially if it’s been posted without context on social media, and especially via an account trying to monetize or sell something.

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Ask Us Anything answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. So, yes, there’s a reason cats love boxes and no, hot workout classes usually aren’t better. If you have a question for us, send us a note. Nothing is too silly or simple.

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Look for the signs

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This episode is based on the Popular Science article “What does ‘chance of precipitation’ really mean? A meteorologist explains.”

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We know AI bots aren’t actually taking any photographs or sketching any pictures: They’re producing approximations of images based on prompts and their training data (which is vast amounts of creative work done by people). That approach can lead to a certain generic sheen that gives away a lot of AI-generated content.

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Subscribe to Ask Us Anything

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Anime characters look like generic anime characters, trees look like generic trees, and city streets look like generic city streets. There’s even a recognizable ChatGPT font that the AI bot reverts to whenever you ask for some text without any specific style—like an average of all the fonts ever created—and you’ll recognize it if you try and generate a few pictures with text in ChatGPT.

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Listen and follow Ask Us Anything on your favorite podcast platform:

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image of newsboy
A generic boy on a generic street, with a newspaper showing the standard ChatGPT font. Image: AI generated, ChatGPT
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Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Physics is still a problem, though the errors aren’t as egregious as they used to be. Try rendering a view of a castle or a vast office block interior in an AI bot and you’ll notice turrets appear in pointless places, staircases lead to nowhere, and elevator doors don’t actually lead to elevators. There are often logical inconsistencies, because AI doesn’t really understand buildings or interior space, just how to create a decent simulation of them in visual form.

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Full Episode Transcript

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We may be past the point of six fingers on hands, but faces and limbs regularly look squished and unnatural, and details are often fuzzy and blurred. Sometimes these problems will be easier to spot than others, but with a little practice and a few test renders of your own, you should get better at being able to identify them.

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The post How to really spot AI-generated images, with Google’s help appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Amazon is blowing out Cuddl Duds base layers and and thermal underwear just in time for frigid temperatures]]>The post Amazon is blowing out Cuddl Duds base layers and and thermal underwear just in time for frigid temperatures appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/amazon-is-blowing-out-cuddl-duds-base-layers-and-and-thermal-underwear-just-in-time-for-frigid-temperatures/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731443Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:42:40 -0500GearOutdoor GearCold weather is mostly a physics problem: your body makes heat, and winter tries to steal it via wind, convection, and damp fabric. A decent base layer helps by trapping warm air close to your skin and keeping you more comfortable whether you’re shoveling, walking the dog, working in an unheated garage, or hiking. Right now, Amazon has solid deals on Cuddl Duds base-layer sets and lounge-ready pajamas. These are more versatile than outdoor-specific base layers, so you can wear them on the hill or on the couch.

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Laura Baisis: Let’s say you’re 10 years old. The weather outside is, as they say, frightful. Fluffy, white snow is falling and the roads are glistening, and you are wishing and hoping that it will be enough to cancel school. 

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Editor’s Picks

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You turn on your local weather to get a more detailed forecast, and hear the meteorologist throwing around words like “sleet” and “freezing rain,” and wonder if either of them will crush your snow day dream. You hold your breath as the school closings are finally announced. 

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Newscaster: Schools already announcing closures for tomorrow… 

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Cuddl Duds Men’s Heavyweight Fleece-Lined Thermal Underwear Set $33.24 (was $39.99)

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Cuddl Duds

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LB: Your school is closed, but not just from snow. The snow combined with freezing rain has turned the roads into a skating rink, and everyone should stay put and pour that second cup of hot cocoa.

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Welcome to Ask Us Anything from the editors of Popular Science, where we answer your questions about our weird world. From “Why does your dog gets so excited to see you?” To “Is the universe really infinite?” No question is too outlandish or mundane. I’m Laura Baisis, the news editor at Popular Science. 

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The fleece lining helps hold warmth against your core and legs, which is exactly what you want when the wind is doing its best to blast every bit of warmth away from your body.

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Sarah Durn: And I’m Sarah Durn, features editor at PopSci.

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Cuddl Duds Women’s Fleece-Lined Thermal Base Layer Set $34.98 (was $42.99)

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LB: For all of us here, we can’t help but chase down wonder inducing questions. We’re hardwired to be curious. And this week our curiosity has led us to decoding wintry precipitation. 

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SD: Okay, so potentially silly question here, but what exactly is precipitation? And what causes the different types of precipitation to form?

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You can wear this under pretty much any outfit. The fleece lining adds noticeable warmth without forcing you into bulky outerwear, which matters if you still need to move around (walking, commuting, or doing anything that requires bending your knees).

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LB: No, silly question. 

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Cuddl Duds Men’s Heavyweight Fleece-Lined Thermal Underwear Set (alternate variant) $34.99 (was $39.99)

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SD: Thank you. 

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Cuddl Duds

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LB: So precipitation is any water falling down to Earth’s surface. A lot of times this is rain, but precipitation is also a broader category that includes snow, sleet, and freezing rain. 

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If you’re shopping by price first, this is another solid pick from the batch, and it’s the easiest way to make standing outside less miserable.

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SD: Alright, gotcha. Obviously we all know snow, pretty flakes and all that, but what exactly are sleet and freezing rain? How are they different from snow? 

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Men’s thermal base layers

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LB: So sleet is tiny little ice pellets, basically like winter hail. 

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SD: Now, before we dive into all things winter weather… Listeners, we want to know: what questions are keeping you curious? If there’s something you’ve always wondered, submit your questions through popsci.com/ask.

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Women’s fleece-lined thermal base layer sets

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We may even feature your question in a future episode. 

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LB: Ooh. 

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Women’s pajama & lounge sets

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SD: And in Scots you have doon-lay, which is just fun to say, and means a heavy snowfall. 

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The post Amazon is blowing out Cuddl Duds base layers and and thermal underwear just in time for frigid temperatures appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Scottish distillery wants to bottle whisky in aluminum, not glass]]>Stirling Distillery has two years to figure it out.

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The post Scottish distillery wants to bottle whisky in aluminum, not glass appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/whisky-aluminum-bottle-scotland/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731440Tue, 20 Jan 2026 14:31:53 -0500ScienceEnvironmentSustainabilityScotland’s smallest whisky distillery also hopes to be one of the most innovative in time for its first batch’s debut. But with only around two years until Sterling Distillery’s inaugural liquor matures, it remains to be seen if the company can ditch traditional glass bottles for a material associated more with cheap beer than fine whisky—aluminum.

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LB: Now, if it’s cold enough closer to the ground, the snow that forms in the clouds will simply remain as snow as it comes down to Earth. Variations in the atmosphere’s temperatures, like a layer of warmer air, can affect whether the snow becomes sleet or freezing rain.

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Any serious distillery uses glass bottles for the good stuff. The reason is as much about aesthetics as it is about chemistry. From a psychological standpoint, the hefty, translucent glass implies the painstaking artisanal craft required to produce an elevated batch of whisky (the “whiskey” spelling is generally only used by Irish and American distillers). The material also is guaranteed to not interact with a whisky’s delicate flavor profile, that can only be achieved after years or even decades of aging.

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SD: So what makes it hit the ground as sleet? 

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There are serious sustainability problems with the industry’s reliance on glass. Most glass manufacturing still requires vast amounts of energy at a major environmental cost. What’s more, all those heavy whisky bottles then ramp up pollution and other problems as they’re transported around the world. Once a bottle is finally empty, recycling is harder than you might think. Manufacturers have long offered popular drinks—both with and without alcohol—in much more sustainable aluminum containers. So why haven’t distilleries made the leap?

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LB: Good and important question. Sleet happens when snowflakes falling to the ground partially melt as they fall through a shallow layer of warm air in the atmosphere. Those more slushy drops than refreeze when they fall through a deeper layer of colder air just above the Earth.

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Sterling Distillery recently approached chemical scientists at Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University to provide some answers. Researchers spent months analyzing how aluminum can affect the liquor’s chemical composition and flavor profile. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the team first measured how alcohol and metal atoms interacted when whisky is stored in aluminum. While they found that contact with the metal often reduced or eliminated important compounds like gallic acid, volunteer taste testers didn’t differentiate between whisky housed in glass and aluminum bottles.

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They then reach the ground as those little frozen raindrops that bounce basically like ice pellets. 

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From there, the team used plasma mass spectrometry to measure the actual metal levels in the whisky. The small samples used for the taste test were comparatively safe, but they soon determined a potentially major branding issue: no one wants metal poisoning from their whisky dram.

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SD: Gotcha. And then what about freezing rain? 

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“We know that certain organic acids naturally present in matured whisky can react with aluminum, which can lead to aluminum entering the liquid,” Dave Ellis, a chemist at Heriot-Watt University, said in a statement. “If we stir samples with aluminum metal, the levels were well above what would be considered acceptable for drinking water.”

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LB: So this one is a little more tricky, especially to forecast. Unlike sleet, freezing rain doesn’t hit the ground as little ice pellets. It begins as snow, but then melts when the water droplet falls through a warmer and more shallow pocket of air.

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The reason this isn’t an issue in other aluminum containers like soup cans is due to their linings. For decades, soup cans and other products featured a transparent coating as much as 10 micrometers thick made from various epoxy resins and Bisphenol A (BPA) plastics. Because BPA plastic has plenty of its own health and environmental issues, industries have slowly switched to alternative liners—but it remains to be seen if any of them can hold up to a potent whisky.

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That water drop will then expand and freeze as it hits a colder pocket of air or if the temperature on the ground is below freezing. So instead of falling as that nice little ice pellet, the water drop freezes upon contact with the ground. 

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“Any innovation has to respect the craft of whisky making while meeting the highest standards of safety,” added Annie Hill, a researcher at Heriot-Watt’s International Center for Brewing and Distilling. “In this case, the liner within the can wasn’t sufficient to prevent aluminum from passing into the spirit.

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SD: And this is what makes that icy layer, which is so dangerous for drivers, pedestrians, and anyone outside.

-

The team added that aluminum whisky bottles aren’t impossible in the future. However, distillers and scientists still need to find a lining that could withstand years—and sometimes decades—on a whisky aficionado’s shelf. Sterling Distillery wants to have aluminum bottling ready for the debut of its first matured whisky in 2027, so it still has some time to locate a liner. But if there’s one thing whisky teaches you, it’s that you can’t rush a good thing.

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The post Scottish distillery wants to bottle whisky in aluminum, not glass appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Dinosaur bones found underneath parking lot in Dinosaur, Colorado]]>They're the first fossils found near Dinosaur National Monument in over 100 years.

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The post Dinosaur bones found underneath parking lot in Dinosaur, Colorado appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/dinosaur-bones-parking-lot-colorado/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731422Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:11:01 -0500ScienceDinosaursFor a place named Dinosaur, it’s been a while since the small Colorado town revealed any actual fossils. But after a 101 year lull in discoveries, work was paused on a new parking lot near Dinosaur National Monument, after construction crews uncovered a section of unexpected sandstone. Park staff and paleontologists soon examined the find, and identified sauropod bones most likely belonging to Diplodocus—a massive, long-necked dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period. 

+

LB: Yeah, exactly. One way to think about the difference is to imagine a box of fresh donuts. 

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Located on the Colorado-Utah border at the meeting of the Green and Yampa rivers, Dinosaur National Monument was established as a federally protected site in 1915. Its nearly 330 square miles of land encompasses over 800 separate paleontological sites dating back 150 million years to the Jurassic era. The Carnegie Museum oversaw the very first excavations from 1909 to 1922, followed by projects from the Smithsonian Museum and the University of Utah in 1923 and 1924.

+

SD: Ooh, love a food analogy. 

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The region is largely arid desert landscape today. However, over 150 million years ago, a vast river bed regularly received the remains of dinosaurs as they floated downstream. These bones slowly fossilized in the sandstone and conglomerate rock, resulting in one of the continent’s best preserved and diverse collections of ancient megafauna. Today, the nearby national monument offers visitors a glimpse at the range of species that once roamed North America such as Allosaurus, Deinonychus, and Stegosaurus.

+

LB: Right? Freezing rain is like that glazed donut with a nice, clear coating of icing on top. 

-

After identifying the new Diplodocus bones in a parking lot, paleontologists worked with park staff, the Utah Conservation Corps, and local volunteers between September and October 2025 to remove around 3,000 pounds of rocks and fossils. The finds were then moved to the Natural History State Park Museum in Vernal, Utah, where they can be viewed in the institution’s public fossil preparation lab. Additional examples are already on display at the Dinosaur National Monument’s Quarry Exhibit Hall. Also known as the Wall of Bones, the exhibit hall is situated over an intact section of the original Carnegie quarry dig showcasing an estimated 1,500 dinosaur fossils still embedded in rock.

+

SD: Yum. 

-

Researchers are now continuing to clean and examine the parking lot discoveries that broke the century-long dry spell for Dinosaur, Colorado. That said, the town wasn’t always so aptly named. Originally known as Baxter Springs, the location was eventually retitled Artesia during an oil rush in the 1940s oil boom. In 1966, the small hub finally received its current Dinosaur designation.

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The post Dinosaur bones found underneath parking lot in Dinosaur, Colorado appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[This deadly dog ‘spaghetti’ has ancient origins]]>Heartworm is one of the most widespread dog parasites.

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The post This deadly dog ‘spaghetti’ has ancient origins appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/this-deadly-dog-spaghetti-has-ancient-origins/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731414Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyDiseasesDogsEvolutionHealthPetsScienceEvery year, millions of dogs come face-to-face with a life threatening parasite coiled up inside one of their vital organs—heartworm. The spaghetti-looking parasite can be fatal when left untreated.

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LB: Kind of my favorite. Now, freezing rain gives the ground a similar clear coating that is very slippery.

-

New research into the widespread canine parasite suggests that heartworm has a deeper and more complex history than scientists previously believed and some may have originated in Australian dingoes. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal Communications Biology.

+

On the other hand, sleet is like a donut with sprinkles, rainbow or chocolate. It covers the ground in these little crunchy pellets that aren’t quite as slippery. 

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Heartworm disease is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis. It is spread to dogs by mosquitoes and can be fatal. Adult worms live in the blood vessels of the heart and lungs and can grow up to 11.8 inches long (30 centimeters). Dog owners and veterinarians often report that worms can look like a strand of spaghetti in the heart.

+

SD: You know, I never thought that donuts would help us explain the weather. 

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long, white worms on a blue background
Heartworms taken from a dog’s heart. Image: University of Sydney.
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LB: I mean, honestly, meteorology is so complex, so having analogies like these are really, really helpful.

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In the new study, an international team of researchers looked at over 100 heartworm genomes collected from pet dogs and wild canids from around the world. They used whole-genome sequencing to compare heartworms found in different regions, which helped them reconstruct population histories and track how the parasites diverged over time. They then pinpointed distinct regional heartworm populations that were shaped by the how and when ancient canids moved across the earth during ice ages.

+

And a big shout out to the team at KETV in Omaha, Nebraska for this delicious analogy. 

-

They found that ancient canid hosts such as wolves and dingoes played a pivotal role in shaping how heartworms have been distributed across the globe for thousands of years. 

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SD: Oh, I love local news. 

-

“For decades, we assumed heartworms were spread mainly through recent human activity,” Dr. Rosemonde Power, a study co-author and University of Stockholm paleogeneticist, said in a statement. “What we’re seeing instead is evidence of deep co-evolution between heartworms and their canine hosts, even before humans were part of the picture.”

+

LB: Same. And please, PSA be kind to your local meteorologist. They don’t have an easy job. 

-

One of the study’s most interesting findings relates to Australia. Genetic signatures in Australian heartworms suggest that they might share ancestry with parasites found in Asia. According to the team, this raises the possibility that heartworm may have arrived in Australia with the continent’s first dingoes. The wild canids are believed to have migrated from Asia thousands of years ago.

+

SD: Is it really hard to predict winter weather? 

-

However, the team cautions that the evidence is not conclusive. Heartown also may have been introduced to Australia more recently, following European colonization.  

+

LB: It can be, especially freezing rain. 

-

“While our data suggest an ancient link between Australian and Asian heartworms, the sample size means we need to be careful about drawing firm conclusions,” said study co-author and University of Sydney veterinarian Jan Slapeta. “What we can say with confidence is that heartworm evolution is far older and more complex than a simple story of parasites hitchhiking with modern dogs.”

+

SD: Yeah. Why is that? 

-
Graphic showing canid migrations and heartworm specimen sites
Graphic showing canid migrations and heartworm specimen sites. Image: University of Sydney.
+

LB: Even a slight change in the atmosphere can mean a completely different forecast.

-

Despite being separated by thousands of years, understanding how these ancient parasites evolved does have implications for animals living today. Like with antibiotics, resistance to common heartworm treatments and prevention methods is growing. 

+

So if there’s a pocket of warm air in the right place, a snowy day can become a sleet or freezing rain day. Or vice versa, and those atmospheric changes can happen really quickly changing forecasts on a dime.

-

“Understanding where heartworms come from and how different populations are related helps us respond more effectively to disease and drug resistance,” added Slapeta. “Heartworms are not the same everywhere, and local history matters.”

+

SD: And freezing rain is probably the most dreaded winter weather forecast, right?

-

In future studies, more sampling, particularly from regions that are more underrepresented regions could help explain more about the parasite, including that mystery of where Australia’s heartworm first originated. 

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LB: Absolutely. 

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The post This deadly dog ‘spaghetti’ has ancient origins appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[A robot bat sheds new light on how they hunt in darkness]]>‘I’m always Team Bat. They always trick me, they always outsmart me.’

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The post A robot bat sheds new light on how they hunt in darkness appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/technology/robot-bat-hunting/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731193Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500TechnologyAnimalsBatsEnvironmentRobotsWildlifeBiologists and engineers have joined forces to build a new robot bat that’s helping us understand how real bats use echolocation to hunt for food. By creating a robot that can echolocate, the team mimicked a bat’s flight path and explained how bats can quickly determine whether or not their prey is on a leaf. This new bat’s eye view is detailed in a study recently published in the Journal of Experimental Biology

+

SD: What makes it so dangerous?

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The study was led in part by bat scientist and Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute research associate Inga Geipel. In fact, the robot’s performance largely confirmed Geipel’s hypothesis about real bats. While she expected these results, she still found them gratifying, not so much for herself, but for her furry subjects. 

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LB: It usually causes the most damage. Freezing rain can bring down tree limbs, power lines, and cause car accidents. In fact, only 100th of an inch of freezing rain is enough to make walking and driving unsafe. 

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“I’m always Team Bat,” Geipel tells Popular Science. “They always trick me, they always outsmart me.” 

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SD: Yikes. 

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Echolocation for people in a hurry

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LB: It also might look safer to drive because it doesn’t look like a blinding blizzard or raging snowstorm outside, but a storm with freezing rain can make invisible black ice, which is what makes driving so risky.

-

Bats use echolocation to find their way and hunt for prey. The winged mammals emit rapid clicking sounds from their mouths and listen for the echoes as those sounds bounce off nearby objects, which could include potential meals. By interpreting the timing and strength of those returning echoes, bats can build a detailed acoustic picture of their surroundings. 

+

SD: So in general, when are weather forecasts most accurate? 

-

That sonar-based perception process is somewhat akin to the way autonomous vehicles use LiDAR sensors to create a mini map of the world around them. But while self-driving cars rely on dozens of cameras and sensors working in concert, bats accomplish the same task intuitively, with just two ears and a mouth.

+

LB: Basically the closer you are to the day you’re trying to predict the better. 

-

Though scientists have long known that bats used echolocation, it was still unclear exactly how they utilize it in the real world, especially in densely packed jungles and rainforests where there are virtually unlimited empty leaves vying for a hungry bat’s attention. 

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SD: I mean, I guess that makes sense. 

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a bat eating a dragonfly
Common big-eared bat (Micronycteris microtis) eating a freshly-caught dragonfly. Image:
Christian Ziegler.
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LB: Yeah. So meteorologist Cyrena Arnold told me that it’s like driving down a long dirt road. Imagine you see a swirl of dust indicating that something is approaching, but you don’t know if it’s another car, a large truck, or maybe a cow.

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Entering a bat’s world 

+

Once the swirl of dust gets closer, you notice it’s blue. Then you see that it’s a compact car and eventually you can tell it’s the make and model. Forecasting is really similar. The closer we get, the better picture we have. 

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To fly into a bat’s world, the team built on Geipel’s nearly 20 years of research. She says her fascination began when she glimpsed one of the flying mammals deftly fluttering through a lightless night sky. Also a lifelong admirer of music and sound, Geipel was captivated by the notion that these creatures could use those senses to “see” in ways humans can’t comprehend. She hoped her future work would shed some light on that intellectual darkness.

+

SD: That’s a great analogy. 

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“Seeing the world through sound is a sensory system that is alien to us,” Geipel said. “I find it highly fascinating that bats can fly in total darkness.”

+

LB: Right? And remember whether forecasting is really hard. It combines some serious high level math and physics that most of us can’t even compute, myself included, with constantly changing variables. It’s incredibly nuanced and difficult. So remember that most legitimate forecasters are just doing their best. 

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The new robot bat study is something of a spiritual “sequel” to Geipel’s PhD research on bat foraging. That earlier work showed that big-eared bats (Micronycteris microtis) initially approach leaves at a specific angle so that their sonar clicks reflect off smooth forest leaves like an echolocation mirror. Leaves with objects on them, such as  insects, scatter the sonar, resulting in the bat receiving a stronger return pulse. From the bat’s perspective, stronger echoes can mean a tasty lunch.

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SD: And if you wanna dive deeper into the world of precipitation, check out Laura’s full story on Popular Science. It’s amazing. We’ll link it in the show notes.

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- Related Stories

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World’s largest carnivorous bats are big softies

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A furry antelope robot is keeping tabs on its organic cousins

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LASSIE’s robot dog may join astronauts on Mars

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How bats avoid crashing into one another

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And with that, we’ll be back shortly with a brief history of when the U.S. government actually outlawed the weather. 

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But while that basic theory makes intuitive sense, it also presents a practical problem. For the proposed system to work, bats would seemingly need to know the orientation and position of every leaf they pass, whether or not it holds potential prey. In a forest, a hungry bat would be overwhelmed by the need to constantly analyze a cacophony of echoes from countless leaves muddying its sonar. The bat would essentially spend all its time toiling over the correct angle of approach.

+

LB: Oh my goodness. What? 

-

“Behavioral experiments had already suggested how these bats might solve the problem of finding prey-occupied leaves, but we wanted to know whether that explanation was actually sufficient to make the behavior work,” paper co-author and University of Cincinnati associate professor of biology, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering  Dieter Vanderelst said in a statement. 

+

SD: Well, technically censored, but it’s still wild. That’s coming up after this short break. 

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That’s where the idea for the robot came into play. The robo-bat was designed to function as a mechanical stand-in for the real thing, allowing researchers to analyze how the winged mammals approach leaves with and without prey. To do that, the team brought together experts from both biology and engineering in pursuit of a common goal—an interdisciplinary collaboration that isn’t all that common. Geipel says the team drew on the combined knowledge of biologists like herself and engineers capable of modeling the physical world through robotics.

+

LB: And welcome back. Okay, Sarah, I still can’t believe you dropped that bomb right before the break.

-

“By building the bat’s hypothesized foraging strategy into a robot and testing it in the physical world, we could ask whether a simple, elegant solution can succeed under complex acoustic conditions, ” Vanderelst added.

+

The U.S. government censored the weather?

-

Designing a bat robot

+

SD: I know it sounds fake, but it’s real. During World War II, the U.S. government decided weather forecasts were basically military secrets. 

-

When designing the robot, the team wanted a system that closely modeled a bat’s natural foraging technique without adding unnecessary complexity. The resulting bat robot” prioritizes function over form. It consists of a robotic arm with a built-in sonar emitter meant to mimic the chirps a bat produces. At the end of the arm are binaural microphones that serve as the robot bat’s “ears.” 

+

LB: Because clouds can be spies? 

-

The entire apparatus is mounted on a 9.8-foot -long (or three meters) linear track, which functions as a highly condensed flight path. The track is so condensed that it  fits in what looks like a small office.

+

SD: Pretty much. Officials worried that if enemy submarines heard things like wind directions, storms, or fog reports, they could then predict conditions along the U.S. coast.

-
a bat approaching a katydid resting on a leaf.
Common big-eared bat (Micronycteris microtis) approaching a katydid resting on a leaf. Image: Inga Geipel, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
+

LB: So instead of partly cloudy Americans, just got…nothing? 

-

The robot performs the tasks necessary to collect crucial research data, but it certainly wouldn’t fool anyone into thinking it was a true doppelganger of its biological inspiration. Personally, Geipel says she would have favored adding googly eyes, but they ultimately passed on the idea for the sake of professionalism.

+

SD: Exactly. After Pearl Harbor, weather maps literally went blank. 

-

The “leaves” in this case were 3D-printed cardboard. Some of them had a roughly 3.5-inch-long (nine-centimeters) 3D-printed cardboard dragonfly pinned to their centers to represent potential prey. During the experiment, the robot moved along the track, emitting successive sonar pulses with about a 0.5-second delay between them. The resulting signal data formed what the researchers call an “echo envelope,” which was then wirelessly sent back to the computer controlling the robot arm.

+

LB: Whoa. 

-
+

SD: Radio stations weren’t allowed to talk about the weather unless they got special permission. 

-
+

LB: Even during dangerous storms? 

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Robotic arm equipped with a sonar head searching and finding an artificial dragonfly on artificial leaves. The laser indicates where the SONAR head is looking. CREDIT: Dieter Vanderelst, University of Cincinnati

+

SD: Yeah, and sometimes there were really bad consequences for that silence.

-

In total, the team conducted more than 45 trials of the robo-bat flying past various leaf configurations, both with and without prey. The system performed remarkably well. The robot successfully detected leaves with a pinned dragonfly 98 percent of the time and falsely identified prey on empty leaves only 18 percent of the time. 

+

In 1942, for example, a massive tornado outbreak tore through Mississippi and Tennessee, but radio stations couldn’t warn people about it. One station in Memphis was only allowed to say doctors and nurses are urgently needed without explaining why. 

-

Critically, the bat robot achieved these results without first assessing the orientation or angle of the leaves, one of the primary questions the researchers aimed to answer. The  bat appeared to follow a simple framework: track strong, stable echoes above a certain threshold and ignore those that don’t meet it. 

+

LB: Cryptic and terrifying. 

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While this work specially looks at big-eared bats (Micronycteris microtis), the researchers are hopeful they could apply it to other species.

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SD: Yeah. Can you imagine? And without weather forecasts, everyday life got weird too.

-

Bat inspired robots come in several shapes and sizes  

+

Baseball announcers couldn’t announce rain delays. Farmers were caught off guard by freezes. Even Eleanor Roosevelt got scolded for casually mentioning clouds in her newspaper column. 

-

Bats have inspired other robots in past studies.  In 2017, engineers at Tel Aviv University developed Robat the Robot, a first-of-its-kind autonomous, wheeled device that navigated and explored its surroundings solely using echolocation. Although it couldn’t fly, Robat was equipped with an ultrasonic speaker that emitted bat-like chirps every 30 seconds. It processed the returning echoes through an onboard machine-learning model, which allowed it to identify and avoid obstacles in real time.

+

LB: How dare they scold America’s best First Lady. 

-

Before that, researchers from Caltech and the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign designed Bat Bot, a bat-inspired robot with soft, articulating wings that weighed just 3.2 ounces (93 grams). The major innovation there was the creation of synthetic wings capable of changing shape as they flap, much like those of a real bat. The team achieved this by developing a custom-made, ultra-thin silicone membrane for the wings.

+

SD: I know, but people obviously still needed to know what the weather was like, so they turned to almanacs, rumors, and DIY gadgets.

-
-
+

Even a Popular Science approved weather glass, basically a thermometer you hang outside your home and read from inside. 

-

The robot Geipel and her colleagues helped create, by contrast, might be less visually impressive than these two earlier examples. However,  its function arguably provides researchers with richer data to actually understand with better detail how real living and breathing bats operate. 

+

LB: Of course, we were involved. 

-

Looking ahead, Geipel says she and her team hope to expand the research to include a wider range of bat species and see if they can understand more clearly how bats distinguish between different kinds of possible prey clinging to leaves. When it comes to studying bats more broadly, she adds, there is still plenty left to uncover.

+

SD: I mean, of course. Eventually after a surprise hurricane barreled into Galveston Bay, Texas, in 1943, the government admitted the downsides outweighed the benefits of keeping the weather censored.

-

“We are just scratching the surface here,” Geipel said. 

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The post A robot bat sheds new light on how they hunt in darkness appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[This weirdly shaped pillow might help you sleep better and it’s 40% off at Amazon right now]]>If you're using a flat pillow and your neck and shoulders hurt, grab an ergonomic upgrade for $36 right now at Amazon.

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The post This weirdly shaped pillow might help you sleep better and it’s 40% off at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/ergonomic-cervical-pillow-deal-amazon-winter/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731384Mon, 19 Jan 2026 20:51:53 -0500GearA pillow is a very personal choice. But, if it has been a while since you replaced yours—or you have been waking up with a sore neck or shoulder—it’s probably time to upgrade. Right now, Amazon has this uniquely shaped neck support pillow for its lowest price ever. Not only does it do a better job of supporting your neck than a typical flat pillow, it has a dedicated place for your arm, which is crucial for side sleepers like me. I’ve been using a similar pillow for the past few weeks and it has seemingly made a difference, especially in the shoulder I usually squish while I’m sleeping.

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LB: So when did the weather get uncensored? 

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Editor’s picks

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SD: Later that year. So in October 1943, weather forecast returned after almost two years. 

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LB: Which feels like another great reminder that weather isn’t just small talk, it’s a public safety issue. 

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Ultra Pain Relief Cooling Pillow for Neck Support (Adjustable Cervical Pillow) $36 (40% off)

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- Cozyplayer cervical pillow -
- - The shape looks weird, but it might help you sleep better. - -

Cozyplayer

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SD: Exactly. Forecasts really save lives. 

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LB: Honestly, after learning about this, I’ll never complain about a bad forecast the same way again. Not that I usually complain because I love meteorology, but now I really won’t. 

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This one is trying to solve two common problems at once: neck support and overheating. The contoured shape is meant to “catch” your head and neck instead of letting you crank sideways all night, and the cooling angle is nice if you’re the kind of sleeper who flips the pillow to find the cold side. It’s $35.98 (40% off), which is about as low-risk as these specialty pillows get.

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SD: Yeah, same. Better to know about a bad weather day than be surprised by it.

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Cozyplayer True Cooling Cervical Neck Pillow for Pain Relief $36 (40% off)

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LB: And that’s it for this episode, but don’t worry, we’ve got more fun Ask Us Anything episodes live in our feed right now. Follow or subscribe to Ask Us Anything by Popular Science, wherever you enjoy your podcasts. And if you like our show, leave us a rating and review. 

-

If you want the “cooling cervical pillow” idea without overthinking it, this is a straightforward pick at $35.99 (40% off). A contoured pillow can be especially helpful for side sleepers who need a consistent gap-fill between shoulder and head. If you’re trying to stop waking up with that stiff, “what did I do yesterday?” neck feeling, this is a reasonable place to start.

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SD: We care what you think. Our theme music is from Kenneth Michael Reagan, and our producer is Alan Haburchak.

-

Effective Pain Relief Cervical Neck Pillow for Sleeping $40 (29% off)

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This week’s episode was also co-produced by our very own Laura Baisis and is based on an article she wrote for Popular Science. 

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Not everyone wants a “cooling” cover, and not every bedroom needs more specialty fabric. This one is a simpler cervical-style option that still aims for better alignment, and it’s $39.98 (29% off). If you’re experimenting with contour pillows for the first time, pay attention to whether your chin feels pushed up or down—either one is a sign the loft isn’t right for you.

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LB: Thanks, Sarah. A big thank you to the whole Ask Us Anything team, and to you, our listeners, for tuning in. 

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Cervical pillows on sale

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SD: And one more time. If you want to have your own wonderment explained on a future episode, go to popsci.com/ask. Until next time, keep the questions coming.

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The post The most dangerous type of precipitation isn’t snow appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[This odd vine contradicts long-standing evolutionary theory]]>‘They don’t follow the classic ideas of how we would have imagined the species evolved.’

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The post This odd vine contradicts long-standing evolutionary theory appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/lipstick-vine-evolution/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731938Tue, 27 Jan 2026 10:00:46 -0500ScienceBiologyEnvironmentEvolutionA tiny tropical flower is challenging a longstanding model for plant evolution. According to researchers at the Field Museum in Chicago, an oddball member of the lipstick vine family evolved to attract more pollinators before spreading to other parts of the world, and not the other way around.

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The post This weirdly shaped pillow might help you sleep better and it’s 40% off at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[British soldier’s long-lost memoir rediscovered in Cleveland]]>War of 1812 veteran Shadrack Byfield's second book describes a grittier life story—and a hook for a hand.

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The post British soldier’s long-lost memoir rediscovered in Cleveland appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/british-soldier-memoir-cleveland/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731248Mon, 19 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500ScienceArchaeologyMilitaryTechnologyA long-lost second memoir penned by a famed 19th-century British soldier named Shadlock Byfield resurfaced in a rather unexpected place—Cleveland, Ohio. As explained in a study recently published in the Journal of British Studies, Byfield’s second book depicts a very different war veteran than the one described in his first autobiography written 11 years earlier.

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“Compared to the rest of its genus, this species has weird, unique flowers,” said Lu.

-

Who was Shadrack Byfield?

+
Female Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata) visiting the typical sunbird-pollinated Aeschynanthus bracteatus in Pingbian, southeastern Yunnan, China. Credit: Jing-Yi Lu
Female Black-throated Sunbird (Aethopyga saturata) visiting the typical sunbird-pollinated Aeschynanthus bracteatus in Pingbian, southeastern Yunnan, China. Credit: Jing-Yi Lu
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Although he may not be a household name, many early American history buffs are well acquainted with Shadrack Byfield. The British soldier served at Fort George near the Niagara River during the War of 1812, fighting in multiple battles over the course of the roughly three year-long conflict. 

+

Because of this, A. acuminatu is far more suited for Taiwan’s shorter-beaked birds. It’s a good thing, too—sunbirds aren’t found anywhere on the island. That said, the yellow-green lipstick vines are also found on the mainland. Knowing this, Lu and his colleagues began to wonder where the plant evolved first.

-

At one point, a musket ball wound forced doctors to amputate Byfield’s left forearm—without anesthesia. After learning his limb had been tossed into a “dung-heap,” the recuperating soldier reportedly retrieved it himself so he could bury it in a makeshift coffin.

+

“At the heart of our study is a question of where species originate,” said Rick Ree, a study coauthor and curator of the Field Museum’s Negaunee Integrative Research Center. “There must have been a switch when this species evolved, when it went from having narrow flowers for sunbirds to wider flowers for more generalist birds. Where and when did the switch occur?”

-

Byfield returned to England after the war, but his disability prevented him from going back to his previous job as a weaver. After dreaming of an “instrument” to solve the problem, Byfield asked a nearby blacksmith to build the tool for him. In 1840, the veteran published A Narrative of a Light Company Soldier’s Service, a memoir detailing these and other experiences.

+

Many botanists might assume the answer could be found in the Grant-Stebbins model. Utilized in the field for over half a century, the Grant-Stebbins model asserts that plants usually evolve different species after they migrate into new regions featuring different types of pollinators. With this in mind, it stood to reason that A. acuminatus originated in Taiwan to accommodate the island’s short-beaked birds. However, the researchers were surprised by what they saw after using lipstick vine DNA samples to assemble a series of family trees.

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A new chapter

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“The branching patterns on the family trees we made revealed that the A. acuminatus plants on Taiwan descended from other A. acuminatus plants from the mainland,” said Ree.

-

For over 200 years, historians believed the 1840 book to be Byfield’s only manuscript. However, Cambridge University historian Eamonn O’Keeffe recently discovered the only known copy of an entirely separate book in the Western Reserve Historical Society’s library in Cleveland, Ohio. But unlike Byfield’s first publication, his 1851’s History and Conversion of a British Soldier tells his life story from a very different angle.

+

This means that for some reason, the shorter, greener lipstick vines evolved in a region with plenty of sunbird pollinators. If true, then this contradicts the Grant-Stebbins model—but researchers have a theory about how this could happen.

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“In the 1840 narrative, Byfield sought to impress wealthy patrons by presenting himself as a dutiful soldier and deserving veteran,” O’Keeffe said in an accompanying statement. “The 1851 memoir, by contrast, was a spiritual redemption story, with Byfield tracing his progress from rebellious sinner to devout and repentant Christian.”

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“Our hypothesis is that at some point in the past, sunbirds stopped being optimal or sufficient pollinators for some of the plants on the mainland,” explained Ree. “There must have been circumstances under which natural selection favored this transition toward generalist passerine birds with shorter beaks as pollinators.”

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The second book is also far more confessional. Where A Narrative explored the experiences of a Byfield “comfortably” supporting his family for almost 20 years after receiving his prosthetic forearm, History and Conversion describes his chronic pain and everyday difficulties due to the injury.

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Ree stressed that their unexpected conclusions were only reached after botanists like Lu took time to travel into the field themselves.

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“It now pleased the Lord to afflict me with a violent rheumatic pain in my right shoulder, from which the [musket] ball was cut out,” Byfield writes in the latter book. “I was in this condition for nearly three years…oftentimes I was not able to lift my hand to my head, nor a tea-cup to my mouth.”

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“This study shows the importance of natural history, of actually going out into nature and observing ecological interactions,” he said. “It takes a lot of human effort that cannot be replicated by AI, it can’t be sped up by computers—there’s no substitute for getting out there like Jing-Yi did…”

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The post This odd vine contradicts long-standing evolutionary theory appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[What’s a false memory? Psychologists explain how your brain can lie.]]>Fruit of the Loom's logo never had a cornucopia and you didn't have pizza for dinner last Friday.

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The post What’s a false memory? Psychologists explain how your brain can lie. appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/health/false-memories-explained/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731887Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:01:00 -0500HealthAsk Us AnythingPsychologyScienceT-shirt tycoons Fruit of the Loom are both makers of functional, printable T-shirts and unintentional originators of a long-standing piece of memory misinformation.

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Other memories were more unflattering, such as abandoning his army duties to engage in a plundering excursion with other soldiers. 

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Fruit of the Loom’s distinctive logo includes a delicious-looking assortment of fruit. Some people, including the reality-questioning posters on the r/Retconned subreddit, will swear on all that is dear to them that the logo once also included a horned bowl called a cornucopia.

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“Such unflattering incidents are conspicuously absent from Byfield’s earlier accounts of his military service,” said O’Keeffe. “In the 1851 memoir, the veteran also dwells on periods of indebtedness, illness and unemployment after returning to England.

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A recent Snopes article summarized this confusion, explaining that misremembering around the logo dates back decades. The imagined cornucopia is just one of many examples of the Mandela effect, named for the once-common misconception that the South African civil rights leader had died in prison in the 1980s, when in fact he passed away at the age of 95 in 2013.  

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New details of resilience

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The Mandela effect is a communal example of a false memory. False memories are recollections of events that didn’t occur or facts that aren’t real. They are a particularly strong type of memory error, and some researchers contend that false and true memories are indistinguishable. But shared false memories of global events are only one small example of the broader phenomenon of false memory.

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Byfield’s difficulties didn’t end after publishing History and Conversion. In 1853, fellow church parishioners accused him of injuring a rival’s eye and face using his prosthetic’s iron hook. The dispute was part of a larger entanglement over rightful control of the village chapel, which eventually grew to include arson, vandalism, and even a riot. Although never convicted of a crime, Byfield and his supporters eventually lost the fight and his job at the time.

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Academics have strongly debated how common these memories are, but everyone agrees that they do happen. In this story, we’ll explore what false memories are, why they happen, and what experts still don’t understand about them.  

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By 1856, Byfield was a widower and returned to his hometown. While he married a second wife, he continued to sometimes struggle financially. In 1867, he published another personal narrative, The Forlorn Hope, and died at the age of 84 in 1874. No copies of this third and final book are known to exist.

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There are two kinds of memory: episodic and semantic

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“Uncovering these new details about his life provides remarkable insight into the suffering and resilience of Britain’s homecoming soldiers,” said O’Keeffe. “Byfield’s 1851 memoir emphasises the challenges of post-war reintegration, especially for veterans with disabilities, in the decades after the Napoleonic Wars.”

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The post British soldier’s long-lost memoir rediscovered in Cleveland appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Veronika the Cow shocks scientists by using a tool]]>The 13-year-old bovine is crushing stereotypes of bovine intelligence.

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The post Veronika the Cow shocks scientists by using a tool appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/cow-tool-use-veronika/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731199Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAgricultureAnimalsBiologyEvolutionHealthPsychologyScienceThe smart animal club continues to add new members, and the newest might surprise you. A pet cow in Austria named Veronika picks up sticks with her mouth and uses them to scratch herself—which a team at University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna in Austria believes is tool use. Veronika and her ground-breaking scratching are detailed in a study published today in Current Biology.

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Our memory can be roughly divided into two subtypes: episodic and semantic. Episodic memory concerns autobiographical events that have happened to us: Think going to Disneyland, eating dessert last Wednesday, or feeling sick after eating too much dessert last Wednesday. 

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“The findings highlight how assumptions about livestock intelligence may reflect gaps in observation rather than genuine cognitive limits,” Alice Auersperg, a study co-author and cognitive biologist at the university, said in a statement.

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Semantic memories are recollections of facts or general knowledge. There are more well-known examples of communal false memories, or the Mandela effect, for semantic memories. That’s likely because there are few shared autobiographical experiences that would create a communal, semantic memory—only so many people will remember your fifth birthday party, for example.

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a four panel image showing a cow holding a broom in her mouth and using it to scratch
Veronika uses different scratching techniques on different body areas. Image: Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró.
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That said, false memories do occur in personal, episodic memory. In one study, researchers used manipulated images to present volunteers with false evidence that they had taken a hot air balloon ride as a child. Some participants later said they vividly remembered the ride, which never occurred, and described it in detail. 

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Why tool use is a big deal

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Two colorful hot air balloons aloft in a blue sky. One balloon is in the foreground and another, decorated with fish, is in the distance behind it.
In one study, researchers used manipulated images to present volunteers with false evidence that they had taken a hot air balloon ride as a child. Some participants later said they vividly remembered the ride, which never occurred, and described it in detail. Image: DepositPhotos
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In biology, tool use is defined using an external object to achieve a goal through mechanical means. It is used by both biologists and anthropologists as a key indicator of a species’ brain and cognitive development. In humans, the Oldowan tool kit—three specific stone tools that date back roughly 2.9 million years—is considered the earliest known example of our species using stone tools.

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False memories have also featured in court cases where testimony from childhood abuse survivors has been questioned as potentially false. Researchers acting as expert witnesses in these cases have engaged in fierce debate around how likely it is that trauma survivors may develop false memories of abuse that never happened. 

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Elsewhere in the animal kingdom, chimpanzees use sticks as tools to access bugs and honey, while crows also use sticks to probe for hidden sources of food. Humpback whales catch fish using “bubble nets,” which some scientists also consider to be a type of tool use.

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Misremembering v. a false memory

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Meet Veronika

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Our memories are not set in stone. Instead, they are built on shifting sands. Processes like re-encoding can update old memories over time, and memories may differ slightly each time we retrieve them. 

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Veronika is a 13-year-old Swiss Brown cow that is not farmed for meat or milk. She belongs to organic farmer and baker Witgar Wiegele as a companion. Over 10 years ago, Witgar noticed that Veronika would occasionally grab sticks and use them to scratch. Study co-author and animal cognition researcher Antonio Osuna-Mascaró tells Popular Science that Witgar said Veronika was very clumsy at first, but has improved her technique considerably over the years.

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“Our memories are really like a filtered-down version of the original experience,” said Wilma Bainbridge, a psychologist at the University of Chicago who studies memory. “When you call that memory back to mind, you’re bringing back that compressed version.”

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Witgar recorded a video of the behavior and shared it with Auersperg. 

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On top of this, our brains can’t store every single detail of our lives. Instead, they often add in missing details based on what we might expect from a given memory. We might add a set of beach umbrellas to a holiday scene from our childhood, because of how often the two appear together elsewhere. 

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“When I saw the footage, it was immediately clear that this was not accidental,” she recalls. “This was a meaningful example of tool use in a species that is rarely considered from a cognitive perspective.” 

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There isn’t a hard line differentiating a false memory and simply misremembering where you put your keys. But, in general, false memories are completely made up rather than a small memory error. In the above beach example, misremembering that there were umbrellas doesn’t make the entire memory false.

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a brown cow in a green field with mountains in the background
The wonderful Veronika. Image: Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró.
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How do false memories form?

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Along with Osuna-Mascaró, Auersperg conducted systematic behavioral tests with Veronika. In a series of controlled trials, they presented the cow with a deck brush that was positioned on the ground in random spots. They then recorded which end Veronika selected and which body region she targeted. 

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A classic psychology study that tests how false memories might form is the Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) test. Volunteers will be presented with a list of words—for example, pupil, classroom, exam, teacher—that all have a key semantic “lure” word. The researchers will then test whether the participant misremembers the original list as featuring the lure—in this case, the word “school.”

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Across repeated sessions, they found that her choices were consistent and functionally appropriate for the body regions she targeted. 

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Fuzzy trace theory (FTT) suggests that this confusion happens because we store two forms of memory. One is a direct representation of the original memory, and the other is based on a rough “gist” of the memory. Researchers think false memories tap into the “gist” version of the memory, especially when verbatim information is missing.

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+ Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories

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+ +
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How does your brain know something is real?

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Tired? You may have social jetlag.

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Do you need more sleep in fall and winter? Probably.

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Chess or video games—which actually makes you smarter? The answer may surprise you.

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How does anesthesia work? Experts still have questions.

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An alternative theory, called activation-monitoring theory (AMT), suggests that when a person studies a list of words, it activates a memory that “spreads” to related words, like the lure word. 

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“We show that a cow can engage in genuinely flexible tool use,” added Osuna-Mascaró. “Veronika is not just using an object to scratch herself. She uses different parts of the same tool for different purposes, and she applies different techniques depending on the function of the tool and the body region.” 

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When the lure is linked closely enough to the list words, researchers believe that the memory of looking at the list and the memory of the lure word become entangled, which explains why people taking the DRM test often swear that they remember seeing the lure word in the original list. Psychologists also believe that repetition, age, and lack of sleep can influence how likely it is that false memories will form. 

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Some false memories remain a mystery

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Researchers observed that Veronika typically prefers to use the bristled end of a deck brush when scratching the broad, firm areas of her body such as her back. However, when targeting the softer and more sensitive regions of her lower body, she switches over to the smooth stick end. 

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Bainbridge’s own research into the Mandela effect couldn’t find a single satisfying explanation for how the effect forms, but did identify that some images are simply harder to accurately recall than others. 

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She also adjusts how she handles the tool. When scratching her upper body, Veronika uses more wide and forceful movements, while her lower-body scratching is slower, more careful, and highly controlled.

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“We think it’s something about how that image fits in with the map of all of the images we have seen or how our brain understands the visual world,” said Bainbridge.

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What makes Veronika tick?

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Regardless of how false memories form, Bainbridge says that they are a natural part of the human experience and that forgetting things, especially traumatic memories, can be helpful. If you’re worried about false memories, remember one thing: while we might often have fuzzy or unclear memories, complete false memories of events that never occurred don’t happen very often.

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The team believes that Veronika’s actions meet the standard definition of tool use, but also go one step further. They describe her scratching as flexible, multi-purpose tool use, meaning that she uses different features of the same object to achieve a different outcome. Multi-purpose tool use like this is extraordinarily rare. Outside of our species, it has only previously been documented convincingly in chimpanzees. 

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“False memories are actually still very rare,” said Bainbridge. “But that’s why when we encounter these false memories in the wild, like the Mandela effect, that’s why they feel so jarring.”

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“Because she is using the tool on her own body, this represents an egocentric form of tool use, which is generally considered less complex than tool use directed at external objects,” said Osuna-Mascaró. “At the same time, she faces clear physical constraints, as she must manipulate tools with her mouth. What is striking is how she compensates for these limitations, anticipating the outcome of her actions and adjusting her grip and movements accordingly.” 

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In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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The post What’s a false memory? Psychologists explain how your brain can lie. appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[New whitening powder activates with your electric toothbrush]]>It may even repair damaged enamel and improve your oral microbiome.

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The post New whitening powder activates with your electric toothbrush appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/health/teeth-whitening-electic-toothbrush/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731913Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:59:00 -0500HealthScienceWhitening your teeth often comes at a financial and physical cost. Many of today’s most popular products including gels, strips, and rinses rely on peroxide-based bleaching solutions. While effective, the chemical processes generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) compounds that not only destroy staining molecules—they can eventually erode tooth enamel. Over time, this can actually make it easier to stain again or cause long-term dental health problems.

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a cow using a broom to scratch herself with a building in the background
Veronika using the broom with the bakery as background. Image: Antonio J. Osuna Mascaró.
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According to a study published in the journal ACS Nano, researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed an alternative solution that not only whitens teeth, but repairs them, too. Instead of harsh chemicals, the new method relies on vibrations.

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Importantly, the authors note that Veronika’s life circumstances may have played a major role in the emergence of this behavior. Most cows do not live to 13 or spend their days in open and complex environments. They are also rarely given the opportunity to interact with a variety of manipulable objects. Her long lifespan, daily contact with humans, and access to an engaging physical landscape likely created favorable conditions for her to explore and innovate. 

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The team swapped peroxide for their new ceramic powder creation called BSCT. To make it, they heated a solution of strontium and calcium ions as well as barium titanate. If shaken quickly enough (such as with an electric toothbrush), the mixture generates a tiny electric field through what’s called the piezoelectric effect. While commonly associated with guitar amplification and electric cigarette lighters, piezoelectricity also creates ROS chemical reactions that are similar to peroxide bleach.

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The team plans to investigate which environmental and social conditions allow these kinds of behaviors to pop up in livestock species, and see how many similar cases may have gone unnoticed simply because no one was looking for them. 

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After artificially staining human teeth with coffee and tea, researchers applied BSCT and saw visible whitening after four hours of utilizing an electric toothbrush. By 12 hours of brushing, the teeth were nearly 50 percent whiter than control teeth brushed with saline. Not only that, but BSCT actually regenerated damaged dentin and enamel thanks to healing deposits of barium, calcium, and strontium layered atop the teeth.

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“Because we suspect this ability may be more widespread than currently documented,” Osuna-Mascaró said, “we invite readers who have observed cows or bulls using sticks or other handheld objects for purposeful actions to contact us.”

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The post Veronika the Cow shocks scientists by using a tool appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Tyrannosaurus rex took 40 years to reach full size]]>New analysis of bone growth rings shows the 'tyrant lizard king' grew very slowly.

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The post Tyrannosaurus rex took 40 years to reach full size appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/science/tyrannosaurus-rex-growth/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731171Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500ScienceBiologyDinosaursTyrannosaurus rex is arguably the world’s most famous dinosaur, yet paleontologists are still learning more about this giant “tyrant lizard king.” T. rex roamed the western United States during the Cretaceous Period about 145 to 66 million years ago, and was likely alive when the meteor that kicked off all non-avian dinosaur’s extinction struck.

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A second experiment involved rats fed with high-sugar diets. Researchers brushed the rodents’ teeth for one minute per day over four weeks, then measured their oral microbiomes. They discovered the BSCT powder killed common mouth bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Staphylococcus aureus while also reducing inflammation.

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Based on the annual growth rings (like those on trees) within fossilized leg bones, scientists  estimate that T. rex usually reach adulthood at around 25 years old. However, new research argues that their growth phase lasted  significantly longer. They may have become fully grown—approximately eight tons—after 40 years. The paper was recently published in the journal PeerJ.

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The team hasn’t incorporated BSCT powder into an actual toothpaste yet, but hope to experiment with combinations in the future. In the meantime, they believe their alternative to harsh whitening products may soon find their way into dentist offices and stores.

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The post New whitening powder activates with your electric toothbrush appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Mysterious, numbered mollusk discovered on Australian beach]]>Researchers are urging beachgoers to report the endangered, tagged sea snails.

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The post Mysterious, numbered mollusk discovered on Australian beach appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/environment/numbered-mollusk-discovery-australia/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731906Mon, 26 Jan 2026 14:17:59 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsConservationEndangered SpeciesScienceWildlifeThe black abalone mollusk (Haliotis cracherodii) is a delicacy in many regions of the world, with fancy restaurant diners doling out as much as $40 per 6 to 8 ounce serving. Although the sea snails are often grown in oyster farms, they are now considered critically endangered due to overdemand and black market harvesting. But while a woman’s recent abalone discovery along a beach in Australia is attracting worldwide attention, it’s not due to any illegal activity or a lucrative payout. Instead, researchers say the diminutive shell is part of a government tagging project that could help ongoing conservation efforts.

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To produce an updated timeline of tyrannosaur growth, scientists studied 17 tyrannosaur specimens of all ages.

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The random find occurred along the waterfront of Mettams Pool near the western Australian city of Perth. Local resident Elisha Blott noticed a broken shell fragment in the sand with an abalone’s telltale rough front and pearlescent back. The mollusk also included a strange accessory, however. Fused to the strong, calcium carbonate shell was a small, plastic tag with the number 5247 etched in red ink.

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“We came up with a new statistical approach that stitches together growth records from different specimens to estimate the growth trajectory of T. rex across all stages of life in greater detail than any previous study,” Nathan Myhrvold, a mathematician and paleobiologist at Intellectual Ventures and co-author of the new study said in a statement. “The composite growth curve provides a much more realistic view of how Tyrannosaurus grew and how much they varied in size.”

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“I immediately saw the bright ID tag and was really intrigued. I’d never seen a shell with a tag before,” Blott told Yahoo News on January 24.

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The team then studied bone slices from the specimens with a type of light that unveils previously overlooked growth rings within the bones. The T. rex bone slices—or cross sections—only consist of the animal’s most recent one to two decades. 

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To help solve the mollusk mystery, Yahoo News contacted Western Australia’s Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). There, DPIRD research scientist Jamin Brown quickly knew exactly what they were looking at—and what it meant for a multiyear scientific study. 

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“Examining the growth rings preserved in the fossilized bones allowed us to reconstruct the animals’ year-by-year growth histories,” said Holly Woodward, a study co-author  and a professor of anatomy at Oklahoma State University. 

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“The tag numbers are linked to records in our database that contain key information about each individual abalone,” Brown explained.

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Together, with co-author and Chapman University paleontologist Jack Horner, Myhrvold and Woodward, assembled a large  T. rex data set. From all of this data, it appears that the iconic beast followed the tortoise’s advice—it grew more slowly and steadily than what researchers thought. 

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The abalone known as 5427 is only one of 7,000 originally raised as roe, then tagged and deposited across three locations near Perth beginning in 2023. Each four-digit tag corresponds to a sea snail’s record featuring its date of birth, length and age when it was tagged, as well the date and location of its release. To attach each tag, researchers mounted the plastic label to a stainless steel spring they then placed on the growing edge of an abalone shell. Over multiple months in hatchery tanks, the shell slowly grew to encase the spring and keep the tag in place.

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A graph showing how the Tyrannosaurus rex may have grown -
A graph showing how the Tyrannosaurus rex may have grown Image: Dr. Holly Woodward Ballard.
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After around three years growing in the warm Australian waters, many of the molluscs are now large enough for recreational fishers to catch. Or, in Blott’s case, to wash ashore for beachgoers to discover.

“The tagging and release of tagged abalone has ceased, but the monitoring of the abalone will continue into the future,” Brown added.

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What’s more, the dinosaur’s long growth period might have enabled it to carry out diverse ecological roles before becoming fully grown, Horner explained. This also might be one of the reasons why they ruled at the top of the food chain toward the end of the Cretaceous Period. 

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The DPIRD is now encouraging anyone in the area to report their own tagged abalone finds through an easy-to-use online portal.

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The study also indicates that some of the 17 tyrannosaur specimens might actually not be T. rexes, joining other research suggesting the misidentification of some T. rex specimens. For example, a 2025 study argues that some small fossils, which some researchers thought were young T. rexes, actually belonged to a smaller relative, Nanotyrannus. 

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“If people find a tagged abalone, we urge them to take a clear photo of the abalone shell next to a ruler, ensuring the numbered tag is visible, and send it to DPIRD, along with details of date capture/location found,” said Brown.

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According to the team, these earlier propositions are still controversial and heavily debated. However, their study highlights the possibility that two famous specimens, dubbed Jane and Petey, might not be the same species, as well as other potential reasons why their growth curves are statistically incompatible. Interestingly, these are the same specimens that other recent  research categorized as two different Nanotyrannus species. 

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The post Tyrannosaurus rex took 40 years to reach full size appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>en-US<![CDATA[Amazon has this 262-piece Craftsman Mechanic Tool set for just $129 (down from $249)]]>If you're looking to revamp your tool kit for 2026, go grab these discounted tool kits, power tools, and storage boxes.

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The post Amazon has this 262-piece Craftsman Mechanic Tool set for just $129 (down from $249) appeared first on Popular Science.

-]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/craftsman-mechanic-tool-kit-impact-driver-deal-amazon/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731376Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:12:36 -0500GearIf your tool situation is currently “one decent drill, three mismatched sockets, and a growing sense of regret,” these CRAFTSMAN deals are a solid excuse to get organized. There are a few big-ticket upgrades here (cordless kits and rolling storage), plus the cheap-but-useful stuff (blades, bits, and sockets) that makes weekend projects go a lot smoother.

+

As DPIRD starts to amass its abalone updates, scientists will gain a better understanding of how the endangered species is growing and surviving in the wild.

+

The post Mysterious, numbered mollusk discovered on Australian beach appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>en-US<![CDATA[Stock up on ReadyWise emergency food supplies during this Walmart flash clearance sale]]>These shelf-stable rations come in durable, waterproof containers so you can stick them in your basement and forget about them until you need them.

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The post Stock up on ReadyWise emergency food supplies during this Walmart flash clearance sale appeared first on Popular Science.

+]]>https://www.popsci.com/gear/readywise-emergency-food-supply-walmart-flash-deal/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731894Mon, 26 Jan 2026 13:43:30 -0500GearOutdoor GearHuge swaths of the country are still feeling the lingering effects from 2026’s big winter storm. During an event like this, you don’t have to be a full-on prepper to appreciate the value of some emergency rations on-hand. Right now, Walmart has these ReadyWise emergency food supplies on sale for up to 68 percent off their retail prices. It’s not exactly gourmet cuisine, but it’s nice to know you have a bucket of sustenance chilling in the basement if the need ever should arise.

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Editor’s picks

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Editor’s picks

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CRAFTSMAN 262-Piece Mechanic Tool Set with 3-Drawer VERSASTACK Box (CMMT45309) $129 (was $249)

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ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply (120 servings) $74 (68% off)

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- Craftsman 262-piece mechanic tool set on sale at amazon + ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply 120 serving entree and beverage bucket
- Go all Fast and Furious on your Nissan Maxima with this kit. + The waterproof bucket keeps 120 servings of food safe for when you need them. -

Craftsman

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ReadyWise

@@ -3715,7 +3572,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3723,28 +3580,28 @@ -

This is the “stop borrowing tools and start fixing your own stuff” bundle. You get a deep mix of sockets and wrenches (SAE and metric) plus a drawer setup that keeps the small parts from turning into a chaotic pile. If you do basic car work, bike maintenance, or even just assemble a lot of furniture, a comprehensive kit like this saves time because you actually have the right size on hand.

+

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply (120 servings) is a great place to start. At 120 servings, it’s a straightforward way to add some redundancy to your household food plan without becoming the neighborhood bunker guy. $73.99 (68% off).

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CRAFTSMAN V20 RP 1/2-inch Brushless Impact Wrench Kit (4Ah + charger) (CMCF900M1) $169 (was $219)

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ReadyWise Powdered Eggs Bucket $114 (25% off)

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- Craftsman V20 RP 1/2-inch Cordless Impact Wrench + ReadyWise Long Term Meal Powdered Eggs bucket
- If you’re a tool person, you can hear the sound it makes in your head right now. + Putting regular eggs in your emergency kit would turn out badly. -

Craftsman

 +

ReadyWise

@@ -3754,7 +3611,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3762,28 +3619,28 @@ -

An impact wrench is the fast lane for lug nuts and stubborn bolts that laugh at a regular ratchet. This one runs on the V20 platform and includes a 4Ah battery and charger, so it’s a legit starter kit if you don’t already own into the ecosystem. It’s also the kind of tool you’ll use once, then wonder why you waited.

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ReadyWise Powdered Eggs Bucket (144 servings, 25-year shelf life) is the kind of pantry staple that pays off in both emergencies, but it can also be useful during regular life. Powdered eggs pull double duty for baking and cooking, which is a nice upgrade over yet another pouch of mystery pasta. $114.45 (24% off).

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CRAFTSMAN TRADESTACK Rolling Tower (CMST60420) $134 (was $199)

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ReadyWise Freeze-Dried Diced Chicken $70 (42% off)

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- Craftsman Tradestack rolling tool boxes + ReadyWise Simple Kitchen FD Diced Chicken 16 serving can
- This kit is much more affordable than similar offerings from another brand. (You know what I’m talking about). + Beef jerky isn’t the only shelf-stable option when it comes to protein. -

Craftsman

 +

ReadyWise

@@ -3793,7 +3650,7 @@ - + See It @@ -3801,322 +3658,361 @@ -

If your “workshop” is really a corner of the garage (or the trunk of your car), rolling storage is the difference between being prepared and digging through a mess. A modular tower like this keeps larger tools separated from small parts, and the wheels make it realistic to move everything in one trip instead of five. It’s especially useful if you bounce between indoor projects and outdoor fixes.

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ReadyWise Freeze-Dried Diced Chicken (16 servings) is an easy way to make a stash feel like actual meals. Toss it into soup, rice, noodles, or whatever shelf-stable situation you’ve got going on, and suddenly dinner looks less bleak. $69.99 (42% off).

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On-sale emergency food deals

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Tool deals

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Variety buckets and big kits

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Power tools and kits

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Protein and cooking staples

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Batteries and charging

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Fruits and veggies

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Blades, bits, and sockets

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Not on sale (regular price bulk options)

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Soups, chili, and comfort meals

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  • ReadyWise Vegetable Beef & Barley Soup Mix (4-pack) $117.96
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    Big tool set upgrade

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    Tool storage and organization

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    Breakfast, grains, and drink mixes

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    Fruits, snacks, and desserts

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    The post Amazon has this 262-piece Craftsman Mechanic Tool set for just $129 (down from $249) appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>en-US<![CDATA[Toyota is drag racing hydrogen-powered trucks in the Arizona desert]]>Hydrogen produces only water emissions, plus the fuel-cell trucks are quick. Here’s how it works. 

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    The post Toyota is drag racing hydrogen-powered trucks in the Arizona desert appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/technology/toyota-hydrogen-powered-vehicles/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731270Sun, 18 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500TechnologyElectric VehiclesVehiclesFilling up a hydrogen tank is much like filling up a gas-powered car in both the basic experience and in the time it takes. That’s been a major barrier for EVs thus far; adding 20 minutes or more for each recharge on a road trip is not nearly as appealing as pulling up to a Chevron station and getting out of there in a few minutes. However, hydrogen hasn’t yet caught on as a large-scale solution largely due to funding, even though even the US Department of Energy says it has “several benefits over conventional combustion-based technologies currently used in many power plants and vehicles.”

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  • ReadyWise Freeze-Dried Raspberry Chocolate Bites (6-pack) $24.99
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    In December, Toyota announced its intention to amp up US hydrogen infrastructure by investing in FirstElement Fuel, the largest retail hydrogen fueling infrastructure provider in California. The automaker has spent the last 30 years researching and developing hydrogen fuel cells; in fact, Toyota has a full campus in Gardena, California, dedicated just to hydrogen research. While it has been refining hydrogen fuel-cell technologies since 2001, the campus was just renamed the Toyota North American Hydrogen Headquarters (which it calls H2HQ), in 2024.

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    Toyota debuted the hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2015, but so far it’s only available in California, the only place in the country where hydrogen pumps are available for passenger cars. At its Arizona proving grounds, Toyota also tests its heavy-duty class 8 hydrogen fuel-cell trucks, racing them against their diesel siblings. I had the chance to ride shotgun in the FCEV and diesel-powered semi on two separate test runs, and the hydrogen truck is vastly cleaner, quicker, and spits water from its tailpipe instead of noxious fumes. However, getting the rest of the country to adopt H2 is a long game. 

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    hydrogen-powered engine in toyota
    Toyota has been researching and testing hydrogen-powered vehicles for the last three decades. Image: Nissan
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    How hydrogen fuel cells work

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    Outdoor meals and savory add-ons

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    Bearing the symbol H and atomic number 1, hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. It can be produced via steam methane reformation, electrolysis, and biomass gasification and hydrogen separation. Fuel cells generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction, not combustion, and are used to provide power for homes, businesses, and transportation. They don’t need to be periodically recharged like batteries, just access to a source of more fuel.

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  • After passing through the circuit, the electrons combine with the protons and oxygen from the air to generate the fuel cell’s byproducts: water and heat
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    Gear and extras

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    “I think a lot of folks think it’s a very complex system, but it’s just a battery with an anodic cathode; the chemical reaction happens silently as you add hydrogen to the system,” says Debby Byrne, an executive program manager at Toyota North America. “There’s no moving parts, so you get that benefit as well. You’re not taking it into the dealership for oil changes, and you get less wear and tear compared to a piston-driven engine.”

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    • ReadyWise Multi-Function Flashlight $32.99
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      Oil- and gas-fueled vehicles aren’t a risk-free process either. Gasoline tanks can be dangerous if they’re not made with high-quality materials and processes, and even though the safety measures have come a long way you’ll still see warnings about static electricity on gas pumps across America. Oil is expensive to collect, too, but the infrastructure and support is well established. 

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    Toyota uses the same level of detail and attention to safety when it comes to building its hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles as it does for its gas and hybrid cars, trucks, and SUVs. Plus, hydrogen sensors detect a leak or a collision, Toyota says; in case of an accident, the hydrogen tank valves are designed to close, preventing any additional hydrogen from escaping.

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    car being fueled by hydrogen
    Hydrogen fueling is not widely available yet, but Toyota hopes to change that. Image: Toyota
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      Convincing the skeptics

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      Hydrogen is a clean energy that may be produced using solar power, wind, and biowaste. Toyota and Connecticut-based FuelCell Energy launched the first-of-its-kind “Tri-gen” system in 2023, which uses biogas from a nearby wastewater treatment facility to produce renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and usable water. These products are used for port vehicle processing operations at Toyota Logistic Services Long Beach. . 

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    • How to build a bug-out bag (even if you’re not a prepper)
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      Toyota says the use of renewable electricity helps reduce more than 9,000 tons of anticipated CO2 emissions per year, while unused electricity is returned to the local utility. Every day, the Tri-gen facility produces up to 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen daily for fuel-cell electric vehicles, including large class 8 semi trucks, and it recycles about 1,400 gallons of water every day. 

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    • Seven other ways to purify water in an emergency
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      That recycled H2O is used to wash vehicles just arriving from the plant in Japan prior to delivery, which reduces water waste from the local plant. Notably, Toyota and FuelCell’s Tri-gen facility was honored with the US Department of Energy’s 2025 Better Project Award in May. The Better Project Award recognizes innovation in energy, water, and waste reduction efficiency. 

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    The post Stock up on ReadyWise emergency food supplies during this Walmart flash clearance sale appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Gaze into the Milky Way’s black hole with NASA’s ‘back catalog’ of X-ray data]]>The Chandra X-Ray Observatory has gathered over 1.3 million detections in 27 years.

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    The post Gaze into the Milky Way’s black hole with NASA’s ‘back catalog’ of X-ray data appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/nasa-chandra-back-catalog/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731867Mon, 26 Jan 2026 11:34:11 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceNASASpaceSpace TelescopeNASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory is considered one of the agency’s greatest achievements, but it’s not necessarily as recognizable as siblings like the James Webb and Hubble Space Telescopes. However, since 1999, the powerful spacecraft has peered deep into the cosmos to provide astronomers with never-before-seen glimpses of the Milky Way galaxy. As the observatory nears its 27th anniversary, NASA is highlighting its Chandra Source Catalog (CSC), an absolutely massive archive of visualization data collected over the years. 

    -

    Toyota sees it as a “game changer” for the world, but it has its fair share of skeptics and naysayers. Toyota hosted me and a select group of journalists for a tour of its 12,000-acre testing ground in Arizona recently, and Caleb Jacobs from The Drive entered a skeptic and emerged enlightened, if not completely convinced about hydrogen power. It became clear, he says, that Toyota views hydrogen as a solution for a future not yet clear to the everyday person.

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    The most recent CSC update adds more than 400,000 unique compact and extended X-ray sources, as well over 1.3 million individual X-ray light detections collected through 2021. The latest examples from CSC include an image the Galactic Center, the area surrounding the supermassive black hole called Sagittarius A* that anchors our Milky Way galaxy home. The image encompasses around 60 light-years of space, which NASA describes as a “veritable pinprick” in the night sky. Despite its comparatively small size, the final result required combining 86 separate images totaling over 3 million seconds of observation time. Within this, Chandra detected more than 3,300 individual X-ray sources.

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    a truck outfitted for camping
    Toyota’s H2-Overlander concept truck was built to show how H2 emissions could be put to use as a non-potable water source while camping. Image: Toyota
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    Take Toyota’s H2-Overland concept, unveiled at the SEMA show in November, which collects and filters water produced by the fuel cell. Users can then use that replenishing water supply for non-potable functions like washing hands or dishes.

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    While the observatory’s information is indispensable for other ground and space telescopes to study new areas of the galaxy, much of the raw data is essentially invisible to the human eye. Similar to previous projects, NASA used “sonification” techniques to convert observations into ethereal audio clips to better illustrate their grandeur. To compliment the view of Sagittarius A*, NASA also provided a sonification of 22 years of space sounds. Repeat observations are given different notes, resulting in a cosmic choir of tones showcasing the vastness of Chandra’s capabilities. If that weren’t enough, the audio clip is also layered onto a map of the Milky Way. Over nearly two-and-a-half minutes, viewers can watch as each X-ray detection is pinpointed within the galaxy, with larger circles representing locations with more frequent observations.

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    “Imagine that same idea,” Jacobs says, “but with industrial generators and power supplies.”

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    The post Toyota is drag racing hydrogen-powered trucks in the Arizona desert appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Female mice often have multiple sexual partners—for survival]]>Birthing a litter with several fathers may help when food is scarce.

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    The post Female mice often have multiple sexual partners—for survival appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/mice-litters-multiple-fathers/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731133Sun, 18 Jan 2026 10:17:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyEvolutionScienceWildlifeIf a female house mouse mates with multiple male house mice, her litter could have multiple fathers. Polyandry, as this mating practice is called, is common for various species. Yet scientists are still investigating its purpose and the potential benefits of birthing half siblings within the same litter. 

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    Chandra’s initial mission was only scheduled to last five years, but has continued to surprise astronomers by outperforming their wildest expectations. Despite a period of funding uncertainty in 2024, it appears that the observatory will continue shedding light on the galaxy for years to come.

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    The post Gaze into the Milky Way’s black hole with NASA’s ‘back catalog’ of X-ray data appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[We may not have flying cars, but we have flying umbrellas]]>Inventor John Tse has gone high-tech to keep raindrops from falling on your head. 

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    The post We may not have flying cars, but we have flying umbrellas appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/diy/drone-umbrella/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731850Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:01:00 -0500DIYProjectsRobotsTechnologyYou wouldn’t think it, but for years people have looked at the humble umbrella and seen more than just a way to keep dry during a rainstorm. They see it as a challenge. Can human ingenuity perfect it? Are there ways to use it we never thought of before? Can it be both more practical and insanely complicated? The answer to all of this appears to be “Yes.” 

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    “Such multiply-sired litters have been suggested to produce benefits in low-quality environments that may be masked in higher-quality environments,” the researchers write in a study recently published in BMC Ecology and Evolution. “So far, however, the effect of environmental quality has only been tested in birds with equivocal evidence.”

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    There are currently more than 11 registered patents for backpack umbrellas, and their designs range from simple extendable parasols that reach out from standard backpacks to giant shell-like hoods that cover your entire head. There are full-body umbrellas that make you look like you’re walking around in a hamster ball, there are shoe umbrellas for keeping you dry when you’re wearing open-toe footwear, and even personal vehicles to escort you through inclement weather (at some point in the not-too-distant future). 

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    Within this context, two researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Germany investigated polyandry in western house mice (Mus musculus domesticus). The team put hundreds of mice in each of a number of enclosures mimicking wild habitats. For four years, they gave the mice in some of the enclosures a high-quality diet. The others received a typical, less nutritious diet.They then tracked the mice’s mating behaviors and the results to shed light on reproduction methods in the face of this resource variable.

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    Despite the creativity, these attempts at innovation are still cumbersome and, well, frankly impractical. But John Tse, an engineer and filmmaker who runs the I Build Stuff YouTube channel, has really thought outside the box with his fascinating flying umbrella. 

    -

    Ultimately, around one-third of litters in both the high-quality and lower-quality food habitats had more than one father. However, larger litters (the benefit of polyandry quantified by the study) only came from the lower-quality food habitats, with mothers birthing large litters in high-quality food habitats no matter the number of fathers. This indicates that the benefit of polyandry likely depends on the environment, particularly the food quality for the mother. 

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    - Related Mouse Stories

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    Scientists watch how mice learn, one synapse at a time

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    The dye in Doritos can make mice transparent

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    Mice may be able to recognize their own reflections

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    Earth welcomes baby mice from space

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    The opposite of a cartoon character walking around with a tiny raincloud hovering over their head, Tse’s invention utilizes drone technology to keep your head covered without the need to hold anything, wear anything, or strap yourself into anything. 

    + + +

    Originally designed and prototyped in 2024, Tse provided a detailed behind-the-scenes update on the project just a few weeks ago to his audience of 160K+ subscribers (and beyond). In the video, Tse describes how his initial drone umbrella relied on a handheld controller, making it impractical and limited in its usability. Responding to customer suggestions, he set out to add a tracking system so that the flying umbrella could simply follow its user around, hovering just a few feet above their heads. 

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    “Our results suggested that polyandry provides greater lifetime fitness benefits when resources are of poorer quality,” the team explains in the study. “In other words, polyandry potentially yields its greatest advantages when resources are a limiting factor, but contributes little when conditions are already favourable.”

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    The results also highlight that a specific reproductive behavior can result from particular situations. In times of lower quality resources, females might engage in polyandry in a way that raises the probability of some babies’ survival. This strategy is called bet-hedging, and it might not be as needed when there is lots of food. However, females still usually engage in it, pointing toward another inquiry—why?

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    The process involved testing different tracking systems, from cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors and even, facetiously, a remote human operator. 

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    The study paves the way for future research into how and why shifts in ecological pressures impact animal mating behaviors, potentially furthering our understanding of certain differences among species in changing habitats.

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    The post Female mice often have multiple sexual partners—for survival appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[A huge iceberg becomes a deadly trap for penguins]]>An iceberg sealed the penguin colony’s entrance, triggering a 70% survival drop.

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    The post A huge iceberg becomes a deadly trap for penguins appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/iceberg-traps-penguins-antarctica/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731038Sun, 18 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsA massive iceberg has triggered a catastrophic die-off of Emperor Penguin chicks in Antarctica, blocking thousands of parents from reaching their young. The event claimed the lives of approximately 14,000 chicks at the Coulman Island colony in the Ross Sea, the region’s largest breeding ground.

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    Tse is exhaustive in the details–explaining how flight controllers and Raspberry Pi single-board computers were used to test methods of identifying and eventually following specific targets. The inventor also manages to be skillful, clever, and funny in the storytelling. At one point, he lectures to himself in an empty classroom. 

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    According to a research team led by Dr. Jeong-hoon Kim of the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), survival rates at the colony plummeted by 70 percent. Satellite analysis and drone surveys reveal that the population of new chicks fell from roughly 21,000 last year to just 6,700 this season.

    -

    A geographical trap

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    The primary cause of this event was an iceberg, spanning nearly 14 kilometers. Field observations by KOPRI researchers Jong-U Kim and Youmin Kim confirmed that the ice had obstructed the critical gateway connecting the breeding ground to the open ocean.

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    Not to spoil the ending of a video titled “I Built a Fully Autonomous Flying Umbrella,” but Tse is able to achieve his goal…sort of. As he says at the end of the video, “I’d be lying if I said this project turned out perfect, but at the same time I would also be lying to say that this moment didn’t bring us joy.” 

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    Satellite analysis indicates the iceberg calved from the Nansen Ice Shelf in March 2025. It drifted northward before grounding against Coulman Island. By late July, this blockage had effectively cut off the penguins’ migration route.

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    Tse’s channel is sparse (he currently has 16 videos) but they clearly represent someone asking the questions no one else is. Apart from “wouldn’t it be cool to have a flying autonomous umbrella?” he ponders adding aimbots to a bow and arrow or building a working flight stick out of LEGO. 

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    the iceberg cutting off colony of penguins seen from above
    An overview of the geographical blockade. The massive iceberg is shown obstructing the inlet between the Ross Sea and Coulman Island, effectively sealing off the Emperor Penguin colony. Image: Provided by KOPRI
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    Even in its imperfect state, Tse’s umbrella invention is fun, potentially practical, and certainly better than…whatever this is.

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    The obstruction occurred at a critical phase in the breeding cycle. Under normal conditions, females depart to forage at sea after laying their eggs in June, leaving males to incubate the clutch. The survival of the hatchlings relies on the mothers returning 70 to 80 days later to deliver the first meal.

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    a mother and child with head umbrellas
    Image: Beesportable via Amazon
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    The post We may not have flying cars, but we have flying umbrellas appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Bald eagle chick watch 2026: Jackie lays first eggs]]>The fascinating lives of the Big Bear Valley birds are livestreamed 24/7.

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    The post Bald eagle chick watch 2026: Jackie lays first eggs appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/bald-eagle-jackie-lays-first-egg-2026/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731832Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:18:05 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBirdsWildlifeUPDATE, January 26, 2026, 9:32pm EST: Jackie has laid a second egg.

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    This year, however, returning females were intercepted by an ice mass roughly the size of 5,000 soccer fields. The iceberg formed a deceptive trap. while its seaward face offered a gentle slope that allowed the penguins to ascend with ease, the side facing the inland colony dropped off into a sheer vertical cliff. Upon reaching the crest, the mothers found themselves stranded, unable to descend to the breeding ground below.

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    Prepare to be captivated by a bald eagle family once again. Internet-famous duo Jackie and Shadow laid their first egg of 2026 on January 23. Fans can tune in 24/7 to the Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) livestream on YouTube.

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    “The iceberg’s seaward approach has a gentle gradient, making it accessible, but the edge facing the breeding ground forms a precipitous cliff,” Dr. Kim explained. “Mothers following their usual route over the sea ice were suddenly confronted by this insurmountable barrier.”

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    Jackie and Shadow returned to their California nest in October with the first stick delivery of the season. The stick and fluff delivery continued through fall as the pair reinforced their high-in-the-trees home in preparation for nesting season. They even set a record on November with at least 28 sticks delivered on the 22nd–the previous record was 25.

    @@ -4127,105 +4023,136 @@ -

    Drone imagery captured a scene of desperate frustration. Hundreds of adult penguins were massed at the base of the ice cliff, pacing nervously as the topography barred them from the colony. The surrounding ice was heavily scarred with guano, evidence that the birds had been stranded there for a prolonged period.

    +

    The bald eagle couple captivated the internet last year with a dramatic journey. Jackie laid three eggs that all hatched successfully in early March. On the evening of March 13, a strong snowstorm hit the area, dumping up to two feet of snow and battering the nest with strong winds. The next morning, only two of the chicks were visible on the live cam. FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of the chicks. The surviving chicks were eventually named Sunny and Gizmo after 54,000 names were submitted by fans with the final names selected by students at a local elementary school.

    + + + +

    Jackie’s first egg of the new year comes with many questions from viewers that FOBBV helpfully answered on Facebook.

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    For the males waiting above, the blockade was catastrophic. Having already fasted for more than 70 days to incubate their young, they were pushed to their physiological breaking point.

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    Q: Why is Jackie not incubating her egg?

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    A: Jackie is practicing delayed incubation, like many Bald Eagles before her. She will not incubate full time until the whole clutch is laid. You may see her hovering over the egg for periods of time, protecting it from the elements and predators. Delayed incubation allows chicks to hatch closer together, meaning that the younger chick will have a better chance of survival.

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    ”Males must survive to ensure future breeding opportunities,” Dr. Kim explains, outlining the brutal calculus of nature. ”It is highly likely they were eventually compelled to abandon the chicks and retreat to the ocean, unable to endure the starvation any longer.”

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    Q: How long is too long to be off the egg?

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    Researchers estimate that the surviving 30 percent of chicks were fed by mothers who managed to find alternative routes around the blockage. ”If the iceberg clears before the next breeding season, there is potential for recovery,” Dr. Kim said. ”But if the blockage persists, we may see long-term impacts, including the forced relocation of the entire colony.”

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    A: The answer depends on ambient temperature, humidity, wind chill factor etc. In other words, we do not really know. We do know that eggs consist mostly of water, which has a high thermal capacity, meaning that they do not cool off very fast. Some eagles were observed leaving their eggs for hours in sub-freezing temperatures, their eggs hatched successfully. Incubation temperature for Bald Eagle eggs is about 98F, ideal storage temperature is about 55F, Jackie’s body temperature is about 105F.

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    a dead penguin chick in the snow
    Carcasses of Emperor Penguin chicks have been discovered at the Coulman Island colony. The presumed cause is starvation. Image: Provided by KOPRI
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    Penguins pushed to the brink

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    Q: Where is fluff? Do we need more fluff?

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    The Ross Sea serves as a vital sanctuary for Emperor Penguins. Whereas areas like the Antarctic Peninsula have struggled with early ice breakup and chick fatalities, the Ross Sea has remained comparatively stable. Sheltered deep within the continent, it benefits from robust sea ice and protection from rapid temperature shifts.

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    A: Jackie and Shadow tend to bring soft nesting materials just before and after eggs are laid. They usually bring grasses and reeds from the shoreline or leaves and pine needles from the forest. Since Big Bear Valley consists primarily of mixed conifer forests and oak woodlands, our nest looks quite different from nests built in other ecosystems.

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    However, the arrival of this iceberg introduces a volatile new threat to their survival. The incident was an anomaly. After calving from the Nansen Ice Shelf, the iceberg collided with drift ice near Coulman Island, a crash that diverted its path and sealed off the colony’s entrance. KOPRI researchers warn that this is not an isolated event but a harbinger of things to come. As global warming accelerates, frequent iceberg calving increases the risk that such blockades will occur again.

    +

    Tune into the FOBBV YouTube page to watch Jackie and Shadow anytime, but remember that nature is unpredictable.

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    The post Bald eagle chick watch 2026: Jackie lays first eggs appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Babysitting grandkids can boost brain health]]>Grandparents who play with, read to, and look after their grandkids score better on cognitive tests.

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    The post Babysitting grandkids can boost brain health appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/health/babysitting-grandkids-good-for-brain/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731751Mon, 26 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500HealthDiseasesPsychologyScienceFrom physical fitness to doing puzzles to going out with friends, there’s a laundry list of advice out there to help protect our brains from cognitive decline as we age. Taking care of grandchildren may also help brain health, according to new research from the American Psychological Association published today in the journal Psychology and Aging.

    -

    Icebergs of similar magnitude are still frequently observed in the region, traveling along drift paths that intersect with other Emperor Penguin habitats. While icebergs from the Nansen Ice Shelf typically follow established routes, analysis suggests this specific iceberg veered off course after striking underwater terrain or other ice masses—a deviation that led it straight to the colony.

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    “Many grandparents provide regular care for their grandchildren—care that supports families and society more broadly,” Flavia Chereches, a study co-author and Ph.D. candidate at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, said in a statement. “An open question, however, is whether caregiving for grandchildren may also benefit grandparents themselves. In this research, we wanted to see if providing grandchild care might benefit grandparents’ health, potentially slowing down cognitive decline.”

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    zoomed out photo of ice cliff and penguins standing on top
    Adult Emperor Penguins blocked by the iceberg’s sheer cliff face. The black dots visible at the top and bottom of the frame represent individual penguins unable to descend. Image: Provided by KOPRI
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    To take a deeper dive into how grandparenting affects the brain, Chereches and her team examined data from 2,887 grandparents. All of the participants were over the age of 50 (the average age was 67) and took part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Between 2016 and 2022, the volunteers completed cognitive tests and answered survey questions three times.

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    The team also noted that 14km iceberg also skirted Cape Washington, another major breeding ground. Researchers warn that if a future iceberg were to collide with this site and block its migration corridor, it could trigger another mass mortality event.

    +

    The survey asked whether or not the participants had provided care for a grandchild at any point during the past year. It also asked them detailed questions about how frequently they provided childcare and what kinds of care they provided. Types of childcare included watching their grandchildren overnight, caring for grandchildren when they were sick, playing or engaging in leisure activities with them, helping with homework assignments, driving grandchildren to school and activities, and preparing meals.

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    Dr. Jin-ku Park, who analyzed the satellite data, expressed concern about the wider implications. “The trajectories of icebergs calving from the Nansen Ice Shelf frequently traverse other major habitats,” he said. “This indicates that the disintegration of ice shelves poses a latent but potent threat to Emperor Penguins and other Antarctic wildlife.”

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    KOPRI plans to submit these findings to international bodies next year, including the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). Although discussions to designate the Emperor Penguin as a ’Specially Protected Species(SPS)’ are ongoing, progress has been blocked by objections.

    +

    Overall, the team found that those who spent time with their grandchildren scored higher on tests of memory and verbal fluency compared with those who didn’t. These results held even after adjusting for age, health, and other factors. More involved grandparents also scored higher on these tests regardless of the frequency and type of care they provided.

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    “Objective, scientific evidence is a prerequisite for designating a species as protected,” Dr. Kim emphasized. “The Coulman Island case will serve as critical empirical proof of just how specific and lethal the threats posed by climate change are to the Emperor Penguin.”

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    Additionally, they saw that grandmothers who provided care experienced less decline on cognitive tests over the course of their study compared with those who didn’t. 

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    Since 2017, KOPRI has monitored the Antarctic ecosystem as part of a Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries initiative focused on the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area. The institute aims to use the data from this incident to refine its remote sensing techniques and accelerate Antarctic conservation efforts.

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    “What stood out most to us was that being a caregiving grandparent seemed to matter more for cognitive functioning than how often grandparents provided care or what exactly they did with their grandchildren,” said Chereches. “More research is needed to replicate these findings, yet, if there are benefits associated with caregiving for grandparents, they might not depend on how often care is provided, or on the specific activities done with grandchildren, but rather on the broader experience of being involved with caregiving.”

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    “This catastrophe underscores the unpredictable dangers climate change poses to the Antarctic ecosystem” said Dr. Hyoung-chul Shin, President of KOPRI “We plan to intensify satellite monitoring and field surveys during the next breeding season and continue investigating the impact of climate change on this fragile environment.”

    +

    Chereches added that future studies could explore the effects of family context and other variables on the aging brain. 

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    The story was produced in partnership with our colleagues at Popular Science Korea.

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    The post A huge iceberg becomes a deadly trap for penguins appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Backcountry.com’s 3-day clearance flash sale dropped jackets, hoodies, fleeces, and more up to 70% off]]>Whether you're looking for new winter gear or stocking up for summer, grab it all on deep discount right now at Backcountry.

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    The post Backcountry.com’s 3-day clearance flash sale dropped jackets, hoodies, fleeces, and more up to 70% off appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/backcountry-jacket-fleece-coat-winter-gear-clearance-sale/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731346Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:54:37 -0500GearOutdoor GearIf you’re looking for outdoor gear, Backcountry.com is a great spot to find just about everything. The site just dropped a 3-day flash sale with discounts up to 70 percent on jackets, snow pants, hoodies, fleeces, base layers, and just about everything else you could need to spend time outside. There are even some great deals on summer gear if you’re trying to stock up for when the weather gets warm.

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    “Providing care voluntarily, within a supportive family environment, may have different effects for grandparents than caregiving in a more stressful environment where they feel unsupported or feel that the caregiving is not voluntary or a burden,” Chereches concluded. 

    +

    The post Babysitting grandkids can boost brain health appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[REI is blowing out its branded jackets, fleeces pants, and more for clearance prices during this winter sale]]>REI's in-house products regularly over-perform their price tags and they're up to half-off during this flash sale.

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    The post REI is blowing out its branded jackets, fleeces pants, and more for clearance prices during this winter sale appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/rei-coop-in-house-jacket-fleece-pants-gear-deals/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731833Sun, 25 Jan 2026 21:39:54 -0500GearOutdoor GearREI’s Co-op label is the store’s in-house take on the outdoor essentials: jackets, hiking pants, base layers, and the small accessories you always need if you spend any time outdoors. The big advantage is value. You’re typically getting reliable, durable materials and features, without the tax that comes with a fancy logo and brand name.

    -

    If you’re looking for new shades, go check out these Backcountry sunglasses deals up to 70 percent off.

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    A quick practical note: REI says members can return most items within 1 year, while non-members generally have 90 days, with some exceptions. Co-op gear is also a smart place to start if you want dependable layers that you can beat up, wash, and keep using.

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    Editor’s picks

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    Editor’s picks

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    Men’s pick: Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket — $88.50 (was $295.00) (70% off)

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    REI Co-op Campwell Rain Jacket – Men's $59.83 (62% off)

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    - Cotopaxi Fuego Hooded Down Jacket + REI rain jacket on sale
    - This is one of the most versatile jackets you could own. + This shell is great for layering when you want options. -

    Cotopaxi

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    REI

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    This is the kind of cold-weather staple that actually earns its closet space. A hooded puffer works for everything from winter commutes to shoulder-season hikes, and this discount is big enough to justify grabbing it now.

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    REI Co-op Campwell Rain Jacket – Men’s is the kind of shell you can grab for pretty much any trip outside, especially if you layer it. It uses a 2-layer waterproof, breathable nylon fabric with a PFAS-free DWR finish, and it is critically seam-sealed to help keep water from sneaking in.

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    Men’s pick: Backcountry Cardiac GORE-TEX 3L Bibs — $207.60 (was $519.00) (60% off)

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    REI Co-op Trailmade Pants – Men's $34.83 (56% off)

    - +
    - Backcountry Cardiac GORE-TEX 3L bibs + REI Co-op Trailmade pants
    - It doesn’t matter how bad you are at snowboarding, your butt will stay dry in these. + Protect your legs from the elements all year. -

    Backcountry

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    REI

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    The higher coverage helps keep cold air and powder where it belongs, and “GORE-TEX 3L” in the name is a solid signal this is meant for nasty weather days, not just fair-weather laps.

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    REI Co-op Trailmade Pants – Men’s are tactical gear that you could wear on the regular. You get a durable nylon-and-spandex blend with UPF 50+ sun protection, a PFAS-free DWR finish for light drizzle, and a gusseted crotch for easier scrambling.

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    Women’s pick: Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket — $44.99 (was $179.95) (75% off)

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    REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket $29.83 (57% off)

    - +
    - Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket + REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket
    - This lightweight jacket is easy to pack. + I truly love a fleece with a wild pattern. -

    Outdoor Research

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    REI

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    This one is easy to justify at this price. Chuck it in a daypack, keep it in the car, or pack it for travel so a surprise downpour doesn’t turn into a soggy, miserable afternoon.

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    For a midlayer you can throw on for camp, errands, or an overly aggressive office air conditioner, grab the REI Co-op Trailmade Fleece Jacket – Men’s. It’s a midweight fleece with a roomier cut for layering, plus zippered hand pockets and two interior drop-in pockets for gloves, snacks, or whatever you swore you weren’t going to carry.

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    Men’s deals

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    Men’s REI Co-op deals

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    Ski & snow jackets, bibs, and pants

    +

    Jackets & warm layers

    -
  • Trew Gear Popover Jacket — $129.48 (was $329.00)
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    Pants & shorts

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  • Trew Gear Jefferson Bib – Men’s — $197.37 (was $349.00)
    • + +
  • REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Snow Pants – Men’s $110.93 (30% off)
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    Rain shells & wind layers

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  • REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated Bib Snow Pants – Men’s $152.93 (30% off)
    • - -
  • Helly Hansen Vancouver Rain Jacket – Men’s — $72.00 (was $120.00)
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    Tops & base layers

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  • Outdoor Research Foray II Jacket – Men’s — $123.72 (was $224.95)
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  • REI Co-op Campwell Henley Shirt – Men’s $24.83 (50% off)
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    Down & insulated jackets

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  • REI Co-op Sahara Long-Sleeve Solid Shirt – Men’s $49.93 (29% off)
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  • Mountain Hardwear Temescalborz Down Jacket – Men’s — $107.99 (was $180.00)
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    Running gear

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  • Cotopaxi Teca Calido Hooded Jacket – Men’s — $52.50 (was $150.00)
    • + +
  • REI Co-op Swiftland Thermal Running Crew Pullover – Men’s $55.93 (30% off)
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    Fleece, hoodies & midlayers

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  • REI Co-op Swiftland Windshell Running Jacket – Men’s $62.93+
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    Accessories

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  • The North Face Glacier Fleece Pullover – Men’s — $51.00 (was $85.00)
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  • The North Face Re-Grind Denali Jacket – Men’s — $132.00 (was $220.00)
    • +

    Gear and accessories (unisex and all-gender)

    -
  • Helly Hansen Daybreaker Snap Pullover Jacket – Men’s — $40.50 (was $90.00)
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    Packs & bags

    -
  • Mountain Hardwear Polartec Power Grid Half-Zip Jacket – Men’s — $83.99 (was $139.99)
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  • KAVU Core Crew Sweatshirt – Men’s — $34.98 (was $99.95)
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    Sleeping pads

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  • The North Face 40th Anniversary Mountain Heavyweight Graphic Hoodie – Men’s — $54.00 (was $90.00)
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    Hiking pants, joggers & everyday bottoms

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    Accessories

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  • REI Co-op COOLMAX EcoMade Lightweight Hiking Quarter Socks $10.93+
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    Shirts, tees & sun hoodies

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  • REI Co-op Norseland Merino Wool Crew Socks – 2 Pairs $22.93 (30% off)
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  • REI Co-op Expedition Cap $30.93 (31% off)
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    Shorts, boardshorts & warm-weather staples

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  • REI Co-op Pride Cotton Ball Cap $20.93 (30% off)
    • - -
  • Roark Shorey Boardshort – Men’s — $27.51 (was $69.00)
    • +

    More PopSci reads to pair with these deals

    -
  • Roark Passage Boardshort – Men’s — $32.48 (was $65.00)
    • + +
  • Winter camping is a great way to see more nature and fewer people
    • -

    Unisex / one-size picks

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  • How to stay warm while sleeping in the frigid outdoors
    • - +

    The post REI is blowing out its branded jackets, fleeces pants, and more for clearance prices during this winter sale appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>en-US<![CDATA[‘Walking sharks’ lay eggs without breaking a sweat]]>Epaulette sharks surprise scientists with their easy peasy reproductive lives.

    +

    The post ‘Walking sharks’ lay eggs without breaking a sweat appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/walking-shark-eggs-reproduction/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731781Sun, 25 Jan 2026 14:15:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyEvolutionFishScienceWildlifeBeing pregnant and giving birth is hard work for any species—but epaulette sharks (Hemiscyllium ocellatum) might disagree. 

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    Women’s deals

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    These fish and a number of other species are known as “walking sharks” for their ability to traverse both the seafloor and land with their fins. But as of now, that’s no longer the coolest thing about this rather adorable predator. Epaulette sharks’ energy use didn’t change during their reproduction cycle, as described in a study recently published in the journal Biology Open. 

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    Ski & snow jackets, bibs, and pants

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    “Reproduction is the ultimate investment … you are literally building new life from scratch,” Jodie Rummer, a marine biologist at James Cook University and co-author of the recent study, said in a university statement. “We expected that when sharks make this complex egg, their energy use would shoot up. But there was no uptick in energy use, it was completely flat,” she adds. They “appear to have adapted their physiology to be able to optimise their energy use.”  

    - +

    In some cases, invasive species were introduced because they’re tasty. Barney points to the Mediterranean fig tree, introduced to California for cultivation and now invasive there, as one example. 

    -

    Rain shells, technical hardshells & weatherproof layers

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    There are also many invasives that have a well-known culinary value in their place of origin, but were introduced for a different reason. Kudzu is one example. Introduced in the United States as an ornamental garden plant, it has since become known as the infamous “vine that ate the South” for its uncontrollable growth. But in its native Asia, kudzu’s leaves are eaten as a vegetable, and its potatoey roots provide starch for jellies such as Japanese kuzumochi. 

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    • Marmot PreCip Eco Jacket – Women’s — $59.97 (was $99.95)
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      A lush green photograph of thick, invasive kudzu vines completely blanketing trees and the forest floor in a Mississippi woodland.
      Kudzu, an invasive Asian vine, grows near the Mississippi river in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The plant is often used in Japanese and Chinese cooking: Its leaves are similar to spinach and its potatoey roots provide starch for jellies, such as Japanese kuzumochi. Image: DepositPhotos
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    • Outdoor Research Helium Rain Jacket – Women’s — $44.99 (was $179.95)
      • +

      Barney notes that in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, where the invasive blue catfish has done damage, there’s currently an effort to industrialize harvesting catfish for food. “That’s the kind of scale that I think can have a meaningful impact,” he says. The effects of a large-scale commercial food operation on an invasive species would be far greater than occasional foraging by individuals. 

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    • Outdoor Research Helium Rain Pant – Women’s — $64.98 (was $129.95)
      • +

      But such efforts are still relatively rare, and not all invasives are seen as a desirable food source, or even recognized as being edible. This has sometimes led environmentalists to get creative with marketing. In Illinois, invasive Asian carp meat has been sold under the name “copi” (for its copious numbers) since 2021, due to perceptions of carp as an inferior food fish. 

      -
    • Outdoor Research Aspire II Jacket – Women’s — $67.48 (was $225.00)
      • +

      In Florida, the Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) has been hosting “Lionfish Derbies” since 2009, in which divers compete to see how many invasive lionfish they can spear. These events culminate in free lionfish tastings. According to REEF, “tastings give the public a chance to see how delicious lionfish are and encourage the consumption of lionfish in local restaurants. Derbies also draw media attention to the Atlantic lionfish invasion and help promote development of the commercial lionfish market.”

      -
    • Rab Latok Alpine GTX Jacket – Women’s — $330.00 (was $600.00)
      • +

      Eating invasives teaches you about local ecology

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    • Rab Kangri GTX Jacket – Women’s — $233.75 (was $425.00)
      • +

      Does this mean that if we all start eating invasives, it will completely get rid of them? Not exactly. “For the general, curious forager, or somebody looking to try something different, the impact [of eating invasives] on the environment is probably small to negligible,” says Barney. However, he adds, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t eat invasives. We just shouldn’t think of eradicating them as being the sole reason to do so.

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    • Mammut Alto Guide HS Hooded Jacket – Women’s — $166.05 (was $369.00)
      • -
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    While large-scale harvesting of an invasive species for food, such as blue catfish in the Chesapeake, can make a difference, eating invasives is not going to totally remove them any more than other strategies. Total elimination of an invasive species tends to only happen in more isolated environments, such as on small islands. Invasive zebra mussels have been successfully removed from Lake Waco, a manmade reservoir in Texas, as of 2021, but remain a problem in major bodies of water like the Mississippi River. In most cases, invasives are here to stay, and removal efforts focus on population management, minimizing impact by keeping numbers down. 

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    +
    + +

    + Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories

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    + +
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    Why does chocolate turn white? It’s not mold.

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    Why is okra so slimy? Blame the mucilage.

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    Should you keep eggs in the fridge? Short answer: Yes.

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    The best chocolate chip cookie recipe, according to science

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    Are induction stoves better? These chefs think so.

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    +
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    Insulated jackets, down layers & puffers

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    Barney describes eating invasives as “a really nice entry point into understanding the species in your surroundings, and a different perspective on the role that they can play in our lives.” To eat invasive species, you have to first learn what species are invasive in your area and how to identify them. This means that eating invasives is a way of learning more about your environment and the relationships between the organisms that live there—including you.

    - +
    + +

    Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill with Air Fry (DG551) $149.99 (50% off)

    + + + + +
    + +
    + Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill +
    + + Grilling isn’t just for the warm months. + +

    Ninja

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    + + +
    +     +
    + + + + See It -

    Fleece, hoodies & midlayers

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    - + +

    The post Amazon just dropped this $300 Ninja indoor grill/air fryer down to $150 on clearance appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[How to stop annoying spam calls]]>Whether you use iOS or Android, don't waste your time with scammers.

    +

    The post How to stop annoying spam calls appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-stop-spam-calls/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731744Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0500DIYTech HacksTechnologySpam calls are the word, a waste of your time and a threat to your privacy and security. Unfortunately, they can be very effective and profitable for the scammers on the other end, which is why these unwanted calls persist.

    +

    You can fight back through. Both Apple and Google have built anti-spam technologies. Apply some of these settings and features, and you should have fewer spam calls interrupting your day.

    -
    - -

    Smith Shift MAG ChromaPop Sunglasses $171.00 (was $337.00)

    - - - - -
    - -
    - Smith Shift MAG ChromaPop Sunglasses -
    - - The extra coverage is clutch for outdoor activities. - -

    Smith Optics

     -
    - - -
    -     -
    - - - - See It +

    If you’re on an iPhone

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    +

    Introduced in iOS 26, call screening will put a robot voice between you and unknown callers, asking them why they’re ringing. You’ll be able to see their response transcribed into text on your screen, and you can then decide whether or not to pick up.

    -

    If you actually do “move fast, sweat a lot” activities, these are built for it. The magnetic lens swap system makes it realistic to switch lenses without smudging everything up, and the shape is more performance-first than fashion-forward—which is exactly what you want on long rides and runs.

    +

    You can set this up by heading into Settings in iOS, then tapping Apps > Phone. Under Screen Unknown Callers, you’ve got three options: Never (calls will ring as normal), Ask Reason for Calling (the call screening feature), and Silence (unknown callers don’t trigger a ring, and always go to voicemail).

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    - -

    Zeal Ridgway Sunglasses – Men's — $63.60 (was $159.00)

    - - - - -
    - -
    - Zeal Ridgeway Sunglasses -
    - - Treat yourself with a bold pattern. - -

    Zeal

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    - - -
    -     -
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    There’s also the Unknown Callers toggle switch further down. With this enabled, a missed call from a number not in your contacts gets shifted to a separate list in your Phone app (these calls won’t appear on the main list of recent calls).

    - - - - See It - -
    +
    screenshot of phone screening on iphone
    Screening unknown callers in iOS. Screenshot: Apple
    -

    If you want a pair you can beat up a little, these are a good “throw them on and go” option: polarized lenses to cut glare off snow/water/traffic, a grippy fit for hikes and bike days, and an Rx-ready frame if you’re tired of choosing between sunglasses and seeing clearly.

    +

    Of course this depends on you having all your known contacts up to date. If someone you know has a new number and you haven’t yet assigned it to a name in the Contacts app, now’s the time to do it. If you don’t, you risk calls from friends, family, and work colleagues being silenced or sent through to call screening.

    -

    Zeal Manitou Sunglasses – Men’s — $103.05 (was $229.00)
    Photochromic lenses are the move for “sun in the parking lot, clouds on the trail, sun again at the summit” days. These automatically lighten/darken as conditions change, and they’re polarized for glare control, so you’re not constantly swapping eyewear or squinting through reflections.

    +

    Another step you can take is to block numbers once you know they’re spam. Scammers will often change up their numbers, but blocking can still help. In the Phone app, tap on any blank avatar from any spam caller (on the left), then choose Block Contact. 

    -

    RAEN optics Squire Polarized Sunglasses $61.50 (was $205.00). A rare “nice sunglasses” deal. These lean classic and wearable, so they work as everyday shades, not just trail gear. If you want something that looks good with a puffy jacket and also doesn’t feel out of place at brunch, this is the move.

    +

    You can also enlist the help of a third-party spam-blocking app. We don’t have space for a full round-up here, but some of the most popular include RoboKiller, Hiya, and Truecaller. It’s also worth checking with your carrier to see what security apps they provide, such as the ActiveArmor app offered by AT&T.

    -

    Electric Crasher 49 Polarized Sunglasses $124.98 (was $249.95). This is the kind of 50%-off deal that makes upgrading feel justified. You’re getting polarized lenses and a sturdier, lifestyle-friendly frame that’s more “all day” than “one specific sport.”

    +

    If you’re on an Android phone

    -

    Smith Optics deals

    +

    On Pixel phones, open the Phone app, then click on the menu (three horizontal lines, top left) and choose Settings > Caller ID and spam. Enable the See caller and spam ID toggle switch, and incoming calls that Android recognizes as being from suspected scammers will be flagged as such before you answer.

    -
      -
    • Smith Embark ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $135.00 (was $257.00)
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      There are a couple more options on the Settings screen worth checking out. Tap Scam Detection, and if you enable this feature, your phone will warn you during a call if it sounds like a scam—though Google warns this isn’t 100 percent foolproof. There’s a full description of how it works on the setting page.

      -
    • Smith Lowdown 2 ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $123.00 (was $277.00)
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      Pixel phones also offer a screening feature—so you can get unknown callers to state their business, and see a transcript of their answer, before picking up. From the Settings screen inside the Phone app, tap either Spam and Call Screen or Call Screen. You can choose from three levels of protection, based on the descriptions given. Note that calls from saved contacts are never screened, unless you do this manually from the incoming call menu.

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    • Smith Venture ChromaPop Sunglasses $142.20 (was $297.00)
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      The call screening feature on Pixel phones
      The call screening feature on Pixel phones. Screenshot: Google
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    • Smith Guide’s Choice XL ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $178.20 (was $297.00)
      • +

      Samsung Galaxy phones also have a Caller ID and spam protection toggle switch you can enable in the Phone app (tap the three dots in the top right corner and pick Settings). This means potential spam calls will be flagged before you answer them, though (for now at least) the call screening feature remains a Pixel exclusive.

      -
    • Smith Shift MAG ChromaPop Sunglasses $171.00 (was $337.00)
      • +

      You can also block numbers on any Android phone, just as you can on an iPhone. Open Settings in the Phone app, then tap Blocked numbers (Pixel) or Block numbers (Galaxy): You can automatically block calls from unknown numbers here (numbers not in your contacts list), and block specific numbers that you know to be scammers.

      -
    • Smith Lowdown Split ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $123.00 (was $215.00)
      • +

      And as on iOS, there are numerous third-party spam blockers you can turn to if you need extra help: They include Call Blocker, Should I Answer?, and CallApp. Your carrier might offer additional tools you can consider as well, including the Call Filter Plus package that’s available from Verizon.

      +

      The post How to stop annoying spam calls appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>en-US<![CDATA[Perplexing blue button jelly looks like something out of ‘Lord of the Rings’]]>Coincidentally, these odd jellyfish relatives are gobbled up by blue dragons.

      +

      The post Perplexing blue button jelly looks like something out of ‘Lord of the Rings’ appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>      https://www.popsci.com/environment/blue-button-jellyfish/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731714Sat, 24 Jan 2026 10:13:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyConservationOceanScienceWildlifeAt first glance, it looks like an alien eye—a gorgeous blue iris around a carmel-colored pupil, thick eyelashes radiating out like sun rays. The reddish/orange center looks a bit like the Eye of Sauron, but we aren’t in Mordor. We’re on the surface of the ocean, where a mysterious jellyfish relative is floating along, snacking on zooplankton.

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    • Smith Leadout Pivlock Polarized Sunglasses $125.40 (was $235.00)
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      Meet the blue button jelly (Porpita porpita). It’s a cnidarian (a group of mainly marine invertebrates, like corals, jellyfish, and Portuguese man-of-war), grows to be around an inch wide, and calls l many tropical and subtropical oceans home. The funky little creature consists of a float—the round part featured in the photograph—and a number of tentacles, some of which have stinging cells. 

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    • Smith Joya ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $129.00 (was $297.00)
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      So far, so good. Researchers believe it’s a “quasi colonial organism,” Larry Madin, a jelly expert at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, tells Popular Science. 

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    • Smith Guide’s Choice Sunglasses $178.20 (was $327.00)
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      “It’s considered sort of a colony because there are tentacles that some of them are for catching food, they have stinging cells on them. Some of them are defensive tentacles to sort of attack things that might attack this, and then it also has some reproductive structures that are suspended from the bottom of this float,” he explains. 

      -
    • Smith Resolve ChromaPop Sunglasses $101.40 (was $227.00)
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      But the situation is far from certain. 

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    • Smith Attack MAG MTB ChromaPop Sunglasses $161.40 (was $285.00)
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      “People have been confused for a long time about is it really a colonial animal, you know, like a coral is, or is it just a single animal that has all these multiple parts?” Madin says. 

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    • Smith Rockaway ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $125.40 (was $269.00)
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      Blue button jellies appear to grow from a single larva that eventually changes into an adult. Unlike the Portuguese man-of-war, which have a number of parts that catch and digest food, the enigmatic blue button jellies secure prey with many tentacles and digest it in a central stomach area. 

      -
    • Smith Layback Polarized Sunglasses $119.40 (was $215.00)
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      On the topic of food, they themselves are also prey. One of their predators is a swimming snail called Glaucus, that looks like it popped straight out of a fantasy world, too (Avatar’s Pandora, specifically). Rather appropriately, it’s also known as the blue dragon. 

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    • Smith Pursuit ChromaPop Sunglasses $171.00 (was $337.00)
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      It remains to be seen if or when the blue button jelly’s status as a quasi colonial organism will be clarified. In the meantime, just keep floating…just keep floating…just keep floating, floating, floating.

      +

      The post Perplexing blue button jelly looks like something out of ‘Lord of the Rings’ appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[This AI thinks it’s the 1800s]]>What happens when you train an LLM only on limited historical data?

      +

      The post This AI thinks it’s the 1800s appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>      https://www.popsci.com/technology/this-ai-thinks-its-the-1800s/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731778Sat, 24 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500TechnologyAIAn interesting thing about contemporary artificial intelligence models, specifically large language models (LLMs): They can only output text based on what’s in their training dataset. Models, including ChatGPT and Claude, are “trained” on large databases of text. The models, when asked a question, statistically create a response by calculating, one word at a time, what the most likely next word should be. A consequence of this is that LLMs can’t output text about scientific breakthroughs that have yet to happen, because there’s no existing literature about those breakthroughs. The best an AI could do is repeat predictions written by researchers, or synthesize those predictions.

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    • Smith Shift XL MAG ChromaPop Sunglasses $184.20 (was $337.00)
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      Adam Mastroianni, writing in his newsletter Experimental History, put this elegantly: “If you booted up a super-smart AI in ancient Greece, fed it all human knowledge, and asked it how to land on the moon, it would respond, ‘You can’t land on the moon. The moon is a god floating in the sky.'” 

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    • Smith Eastbank ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $99.00 (was $195.00)
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      It’s an interesting thought experiment. What if you intentionally limited the training data? Could you create an AI system that responds as though it’s from a period in the past?  What could that reveal about the psychology or everyday experiences of the people from that era?

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    • Smith Boomtown ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $118.20 (was $237.00)
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      That’s exactly what Hayk Grigorian, a student at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, had in mind when he created TimeCapsuleLLM. This experimental AI system was trained entirely on texts from 19th century London. The current release is based on 90 gigabytes of text files originally published in the city of London between 1800 and 1875. 

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    • Smith Monterey ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $113.40 (was $249.00)
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      This is, to be clear, very much a hobby project. The sample-generated text on GitHub isn’t consistently coherent, though Ars Technica did report that it has correctly surfaced names and events from the 1800s. When prompted to continue the sentence “It was the year of our Lord 1834,” the model recounted a protest: “the streets of London were filled with protest and petition,” going on to mention the policies of Lord Palmerston, who was the foreign secretary at the time. 

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      It’s an interesting experiment, but could such a thing actually be useful? Potentially.
      An opinion piece published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) by collaborators including Michael E. W. Varnum, a professor of psychology from the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University, is an interesting read. It proposes that models like this could be a way to study psychology outside a modern context. The paper refers to such AI models as Historical Large Language Models, or HLLMs for short, and states that psychology researchers could use them to study the thinking of people in past civilizations. 

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    • Smith Roam ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $123.00 (was $205.00)
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      “In principle, responses from these faux individuals can reflect the psychology of past societies, allowing for a more robust and interdisciplinary science of human nature,” the paper says. “Researchers might, for example, compare the cooperative tendencies of Vikings, ancient Romans, and early modern Japanese in economic games. Or they could explore attitudes about gender roles that were typical among ancient Persians or medieval Europeans.”

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    • Smith Shift Split MAG ChromaPop Sunglasses $165.00 (was $337.00)
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      It’s an interesting idea, though the paper does acknowledge this could be tricky. 

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    • Smith Lake Shasta ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $123.00 (was $217.00)
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      “All LLMs are a product of their training corpora, and HLLMs face challenges in terms of sampling, given that surviving historical texts are likely not representative samples of people who lived in a particular period,” the paper admits, stating that historical texts tend to be written by elites, not everyday people. “As a result, it could be hard to generalize from these models.” 

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    • Smith Wander ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $129.00 (was $227.00)
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      And there are other things to keep in mind. Research from Ghent University in Belgium shows that the ideology of the people who work on an LLM shows up in the text those models generate. There’s every reason to suspect the same problem will apply to LLMs designed to reflect past cultures. 

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    • Smith XC Chromapop Sunglasses $142.20 (was $237.00)
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      So there are difficulties. Only time will tell if such models end up being used in psychological research, or remain the domain of hobbyists. 

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      The post This AI thinks it’s the 1800s appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim]]>‘Nature seems to have already solved the problem.’

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      The post Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>      https://www.popsci.com/science/stringray-robot-swimming/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731771Fri, 23 Jan 2026 16:35:00 -0500ScienceBiologyEngineeringRobotsTechnologyTo help figure out what makes stingrays such unique and unusual swimmers, a team of mechanical engineers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) created a wavy robotic fin. After submerging the robot in underwater tunnels designed to mimic swimming near the sea floor, their tests indicate that different types of ray species may have evolved alternative swimming techniques that best suit their setting. Specifically, the findings suggest that some ray species swimming near the seafloor adjust the way their fins move and tilt to counter a downward force that would otherwise pull them toward the ground. 

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    • Smith Spinner ChromaPop Polarized Sunglasses $142.20 (was $237.00)
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      It turns out that stingrays gracefully gliding along waves near seabeds aren’t doing it to look cool. Instead, the fancy flapping is likely an evolutionary adaptation for stability and durability while swimming. The team behind the mechanical fin believes those same principles could one day be applied to designing energy-efficient underwater mapping robots. And they aren’t alone in admiration for rays. Other researchers are already attempting to use insights from stingray swimming to develop stealthier next-generation underwater vehicles. 

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      The robotic fin study was published this week in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

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      Putting stingray swimming to the test  

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      When it comes to swimming, not all ray species are alike. Massive manta rays and other pelagic ray species tend to hover near the ocean surface using a flapping motion. Benthic rays, like stingrays who spend their time in more shallow waters, rely on a different undulating movement which often resembles the motion of the very waves they’re swimming in. This second wavy swimming style in particular has fascinated scientists for its apparent simplicity and efficiency. Past research on that swimming method has shown that the undulating motion used by stingrays actually appears to recycle energy from surrounding water more efficiently than brute-force fin flapping.

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    a chart showing ways stingrays swim, with their fins up, to the side, or alternating
    Varying styles of stingray fin movements. Image: Yuanhang Zhu/UCR.
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    UCR mechanical engineer and paper co-author Yuanhang Zhu had a hunch that the divergence in swimming styles might stem from the different environments ray species inhabit. To test that theory in controlled environments, the team set out to create the robotic fin. By testing the fin under different conditions, the researchers could observe how physical forces in the water affected its movement. The final fin design measured only 9.5 millimeters (about 0.4 inches) thick and was molded from silicone rubber. They also constructed a large water tunnel designed to simulate ocean flow.

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      During their experiments, the team placed the robot both near the surface of the tunnel and lower, closer to the artificial sea floor. In both cases, they were looking to see how various levels of ocean flow impact the amount of lift imparted on the fins. Understanding lift is important because it  plays a key role in determining whether or not objects moving through space can stay level.  For example, birds flying close to the ground experience positive lift keeping them more level and steady. The researchers expected to see something similar occur for the robotic ray swimming near the sea floor. Instead, the exact opposite happened. Their robot was being sucked downwards.

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      “This wasn’t what we expected,” Zhu said in a UCR blog post. “Instead of gaining extra lift near the ground, the rays were pulled downward. 

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      Surprised by the findings, the team made slight adjustments to the robot to try compensate for the negative lift. They found that the downward force could be reduced simply by tilting the robot fin upward by a few degrees. Extrapolating out from that, the researchers suggest that stingrays and other benthic rays naturally swim with a slight upward fin angle, something that wasn’t clear before. During testing with, the stingray-like undulating motion also consistently maintained better clearance from the seafloor than the flapping motion used by pelagic ray species.

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      “Nature seems to have already solved the problem,” Zhu added. 

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      Robots and underwater vehicles of the future

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      This isn’t the first time engineers have tried to apply a ray’s unique biology to the world of robotics. In 2018, engineers from UCLA designed a 10 millimeter long tissue-based stingray-style robot made up of a mix of heart cells and flexible electrodes. Researchers from Harvard made an arguably even stranger stingray biohybrid robot in 2017, powered by rat muscles and propelled forward by a propulsion system triggered by light. 

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      Elsewhere, researchers at the University of Washington are already exploring ways to apply stingray swimming techniques to next generation underwater vehicles. Ultimately, they  hope to adapt rays’ structural characteristics to create vehicles that are both more energy-efficient and quieter than current submarines and submersibles.

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      When it comes to designing mechanisms of the future, the natural world remains undefeated. 

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      The post Stingray-inspired robot cracks the mystery of how rays swim appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>en-US<![CDATA[Halley’s comet may need a new, medieval name]]>Astronomers suggest the honor should go to an 11th century monk known for a disastrous flying attempt.

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      The post Halley’s comet may need a new, medieval name appeared first on Popular Science.

      +]]>      https://www.popsci.com/science/halleys-comet-new-name/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731765Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:51:47 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceSpaceOne of most recognizable comets in astronomy may require rebranding. But even if everyone continues to call the famed space rock Halley’s comet, some researchers say an eccentric 11th century monk deserves at least some credit. According to a review of historical materials including the famous Bayeux tapestry, a team from Leiden University in the Netherlands believes it makes more sense to name the icy space rock in honor of Aethelmaer of Malmesbury—a member of the Order of Saint Benedict who also lived with an ill-fated fascination with flying.

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    Every 76 years, a comet from the depths of our solar system reaches its nearest point to Earth. Its orbit is anything but new, however. Chinese observers recorded the appearance of a bright light traveling from east to north in the night sky as far back as 240 BCE, while Roman historian Cassius Dio described a similar sounding event in 12 BCE. It wasn’t until 1705 that the English astronomer Edmond Halley concluded that these regularly returning sights weren’t different objects, but a single comet traveling along a predictable trajectory. Today, his discovery is reflected in both the comet’s everyday name as well as its official classification, 1P/Halley.

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    But if one really wanted to name the comet after the first person in England to note its significance, some astronomers recommend the honor goes to Aethelmaer of Malmesbury. Also known as Eilmer, the Benedictine monk was already an elderly resident of his abbey when Halley’s comet returned in 1066 CE. However, that particular sighting was of special importance because it’s documented on the famous (and bawdy) Bayeux tapestry. The 770-pound scroll depicts the events surrounding the Battle of Hastings, during which William II invaded England from Normandy, France. The embroidered art also illustrates William II’s victory, as well as his short-lived reign before the last Anglo-Saxon king died in battle.

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      King William should have seen his demise coming, according to the medieval omen experts of his era. Halley’s comet appeared not long after he assumed the throne, and everyone at the time knew such cosmic sightings warned of impending disaster. Everyone including the monk, Eilmer. 

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      Simon Zwart, an astronomer at the Leiden University in the Netherlands, realized this while reviewing the writings of the 12th century chronicler, William of Malmesbury. According to William, when Halley’s comet brightened the sky in 1066 CE, it also jotted Eilmer’s memory. The monk recalled first seeing the same event about 76 years earlier in 989 CE.

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      Based on this account, it technically wasn’t Edmond Halley who first proposed that the comet was making regular reappearances. Then again, it’s somewhat understandable why Eilmer’s claims didn’t gain more traction. After all, this was the monk who is otherwise best known for attempting to fly after reading the Greek myth of Daedalus as a child. To test his own theories, young Eilmer strapped a set of makeshift wings to his hands and feet, then jumped off a tower at Malmesbury Abbey. The confident—if misguided—leap of faith broke both his legs and incapacitated him for the rest of life.

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    The post Backcountry.com is blowing out dozens of sunglasses for clearance prices during this flash sale appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[What were books like in ancient Greece and Rome?]]>Ancient bookstore were surprisingly modern.

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    The post What were books like in ancient Greece and Rome? appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/what-were-books-like-in-ancient-greece-and-rome/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731205Sat, 17 Jan 2026 11:01:00 -0500ScienceArchaeologyThis article originally appeared in The Conversation.

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    “He used to relate as the cause of his failure, his forgetting to provide himself a tail,” his friend William later wrote.

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    The post Halley’s comet may need a new, medieval name appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Lowe’s is blowing out this Craftsman cordless string trimmer with battery and charger for just $29 while they last]]>You may not be thinking about lawn care right now, but for $30, this deal is worth grabbing and sitting on until spring.

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    The post Lowe’s is blowing out this Craftsman cordless string trimmer with battery and charger for just $29 while they last appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/gear/craftsman-string-trimmer-power-tool-deals-lowes/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731757Fri, 23 Jan 2026 14:20:55 -0500GearHomeEven if your yard is currently frozen solid, spring cleanup has a way of arriving faster than your motivation. Lowe’s has the Craftsman V20 13-inch cordless string trimmer kit marked down to $29. That’s not a typo: you’re getting the trimmer plus a 2Ah battery and charger for less than the price of Triple Dippers for two at Chili’s. It’s a great tool for cleaning up sidewalks and getting tough grass where the mower can’t reach.

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    If you were to visit a bookshop in the ancient world, what would it be like?

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    If you want to keep shopping, there are also some surprisingly aggressive markdowns on other V20 tools (including a $39 high-velocity fan) and a bunch of garage/workshop gear. Everything we pulled from the sale pages is linked below.

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    You don’t just have to imagine it. The ancient Roman writer Aulus Gellius, who lived in the 2nd century CE, gives us a number of descriptions of his adventures at bookstores. In one passage, he describes an encounter at one in Rome, which he was visiting with a poet friend:

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    I chanced to be sitting in a bookshop in the Sigillaria with the poet Julius Paulus […] There was on sale there the Annals of Quintus Fabius Pictor in a copy of good and undoubted age, which the dealer maintained was without errors.

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    Craftsman V20 20V Max 13-in cordless string trimmer kit (2Ah battery + charger) $29.00 (was $129.00, 78% off)

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    + + You can’t beat $30 with a battery and charger. + +

    Craftsman

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    Gellius then tells us that, while they are sitting there, another customer enters the shop. The new customer has a disagreement with the dealer. He complains that he “found in the book one error”. The dealer says that’s impossible. Then the customer brings out evidence to prove the dealer wrong.

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    In different passage, Aulus tells us about some bookstalls he came across when he arrived by ship at the port of Brundisium on the Adriatic coast. The books, he records, were “in Greek, filled with marvellous tales, things unheard of, incredible […] The writers were ancient and of no mean authority”.

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    Yard and seasonal gear

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    The volumes themselves, however, were filthy from neglect, in bad condition and unsightly. Nevertheless, I drew near and asked their price; then, attracted by their extraordinary and unexpected cheapness, I bought a large number of them for a small sum.

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    Evidence for writing appears early in different parts of the world. In Mesopotamia and Egypt, the oldest texts, such as the Kish limestone tablet at Uruk or the Narmer Palette at Hierakonpolis, date to before 3000 BCE. In the Indus Valley, the Harappan script, which remains undeciphered, appeared around the same time. In China, the earliest characters, the Dawenkou graphs, also date to around 3000 BCE.

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    V20 power tools and kits

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    One of the most interesting aspects of early writing is that there is such a variety of different scripts. For example, the earliest known texts in the Greek language are written in the Linear B script, which was used from around 1500-1200 BCE, and wasn’t deciphered until 1952. Linear B is not an alphabet, but a syllabary of more than 80 different signs. A syllabary is a kind of writing system where each sign represents a syllable.

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    Second, you would get your ink. In the ancient world, there were many varieties of ink. Normal black ink was made from the soot of burnt resin or pitch mixed with vegetable gum. When buying ink, it would come in powder form, and you would need to mix it with water before using it.

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    Tool sets and hand tools

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    Third, you would get your pen. It would be made from reed, hence it was called the “calamus” by Greeks and Romans (“calamus” is the Greek word for reed). To sharpen your pen you would need a knife. If you made a mistake, you would erase it with a wet sponge.

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    Chimps’ risk-taking was not associated with their sex, nor how high up in the trees they were. In other words, it was equally probable for male and female infants to undertake physical risks at any height. The specific risky behavior studied in chimps was free flight—when they  purposefully fall from a branch or jump from one branch to the next without any hold.The risk in free flight is falling and then getting hurt.  

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    Garage and workshop setup

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    Compared to chimpanzees, it’s more difficult  to investigate physical risk-taking in humans. We can’t recreate the behavior in a lab, but even studies based on observations or survey data run into the issue that risky behavior in children (such as doing monkey bars) doesn’t usually continue into adulthood (such as skydiving), and vice-versa. 

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    • Craftsman 2000 Series 32-in freestanding steel garage cabinet (red) $259.00 (was $349.00, 26% off)
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      Interestingly, this study appears to suggest something novel about our own species. Simply put, the results indicate that while chimp mothers can only restrain their children as long as they can maintain them physically close, human parents and caregivers can continue monitoring them and human children are simply supervised more. What’s more, if we didn’t have this extended overwatch, our risky behavior might also peak earlier instead of being delayed to adolescence. 

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      “Bryce found that in fact the youngest chimps were doing all of these crazy leaps and drops, and it declined gradually as they aged. We were really scratching our heads thinking, ‘What is going on?’”said co-senior author Laura MacLatchy, a professor of anthropology at the University of Michigan, referring to co-author Bryce Murray. “We realized that the littlest chimps were unrestricted in what they do, as soon as they were out of arm’s reach of their mom and no longer clinging and riding around on their mom.”

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      According to indications by earlier work, chimpanzee play might help them exercise abilities related to movement, or understand the results of risky behavior during a particular period of their lives—they are young, lightweight, have “spongier” bones, and have fewer chances of injury 

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      Indeed, infant chimps frequently take the risks in question while playing, MacLatchy explained, to gain the physical competencies and confidence necessary for an arboreal existence. “Competency as an adult really depends on practice when you’re little,” she added. “Play as practice might be part of what’s going on with these kids. Then again, there may be no stopping them.”

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      The post Baby chimpanzees like to free fall through trees appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>en-US<![CDATA[How to avoid the iPhone’s notorious ‘silent alarm’ bug]]>Slept in too long? A silent alarm may be to blame.

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      The post How to avoid the iPhone’s notorious ‘silent alarm’ bug appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/diy/iphone-silent-alarm-bug/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731247Sat, 17 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0500DIYTech HacksTechnologyYou might’ve seen recent reports of users complaining that they’ve slept through alarms set on their iPhones–or even encountered it yourself. But it’s not a new bug. The silent iPhone alarm issue has plagued users for at least a couple of years, and still keeps affecting people (even though Apple has previously promised to fix it).

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      The bug causes alarms to go off, but silently—there’s no audible ring, and no vibration. That’s not ideal if you need to get up for work, a flight, or anything else you have to do. So what exactly is going on? Here’s what we know about the so-called silent alarm bug on the iPhone and what you can do about it.

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      What is the silent arm bug?

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      screenshot of alarm settings
      Being caught out by silent alarms? You’re not alone. Screenshot: Apple
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      If you set an alarm, it’s important that it actually alerts you at the right time. But these silent alarms that users have been noticing on their iPhones don’t make any sound and don’t trigger any vibrations. They do appear on screen as normal, but they’re completely silent.

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      As for what’s causing it, no one seems certain. Back in 2024, Apple said it was fixing the issue, without going into much detail about what was behind it—but users are finding that it’s still happening. Sometimes it seems that a particular iOS version will patch the problem, only for it to show up again in a subsequent version.

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      Given that it’s been happening for a long time, and affecting a substantial number of users (but not everyone), it’s possible that there are multiple causes. While there’s been no official guidance from Apple about how to fix it, there are steps you can take to minimize the likelihood of silent alarms.

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      Fixes you can try

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      screenshot of attention-aware features settings
      Disabling Attention-Aware Features can help in some cases. Screenshot: Apple
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      First, make sure your alarms are set as intended from the Alarms tab of the Clock app. Tap on an alarm and you can check the Sound option to see the noise it triggers and the Repeat option to check the frequency—it may be that your alarm is set to go off some days and not others. If a specific alarm isn’t ringing, try deleting it and creating it again.

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      You can get to the audio settings for your iPhone by opening up Settings, then choosing Sounds & Haptics. Look at the volume slider under Ringtone and Alerts to make sure it’s high enough. You might also want to turn off Change with Buttons to make sure you’re not adjusting the alert volume accidentally. Alarms shouldn’t be affected by the Silent Mode toggle, but you can try turning this off anyway.

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      Under Bluetooth in Settings, make sure your iPhone isn’t connected to any speakers or headphones that it shouldn’t be—otherwise it could be piping your alarm sounds through a different device and not your iPhone speakers.

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      Some users have found they can overcome the silent alarm bug by turning off the Attention-Aware Features toggle switch, which you’ll find under Face ID & Passcode in Settings. This changes certain iPhone behaviors, including the level of alarm sounds, if it thinks you’re looking at the screen. It could explain certain silent alarms—though it should only ever lower the alarm volume level, not mute it completely.

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      It’s worth saying that the Do Not Disturb mode and any other modes you’ve got set up in Focus in Settings shouldn’t make any difference to alarms—they just control the volume for app notifications—but it’s perhaps worth reviewing them anyway.

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      Finally, be sure to keep your iPhone up to date with the latest version of iOS. While it seems as though this bug is persisting in the latest software releases, hopefully at some point Apple will squash it for good, and when that happens you’re going to want to get the update as soon as possible.

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      Alternative alarm apps

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      screenshot of alarmy
      Alarmy is one of the best alternative alarm apps. Screenshot: Alarmy
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      Something else you can do to try and avoid silent alarms is to install a third-party alarm app, and there are lots to choose from. Alarmy actually prides itself on the loudness of its alarm alerts, so you should have no problems waking up. You can get some extra premium features and remove the ads by paying $4.99 a month, but the basic functionality is free.

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      Then there’s Galarm, which packs alarms and reminders into one app, with a host of options available. You can categorize alarms and add notes to them, for example, and go into plenty of detail when it comes to when alarms should repeat. Again, you can opt to subscribe for more features and an ad-free experience, which costs $0.99 a month.

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      Sleep Cycle is another app worth considering. Not only will it wake you up, it also has a smart alarm feature that aims to rouse you at the most beneficial time in your sleep cycle (within a preset window). It’ll track your sleep too—there’s a lot to it. You get the basics for free, with a pile of premium features (including weather reports and more sleep stats) available for a $2.99-per-month subscription.

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      Or you can invest in a smart alarm clock. Or just an old-fashioned alarm clock with the big red numbers and real buttons.

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      The post How to avoid the iPhone’s notorious ‘silent alarm’ bug appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Duluth Trading’s winter clearance drops its toughest coats, pants, and outerwear up to 70% off]]>Duluth Trading's Alaskan Hardgear line is built for serious outdoor adventuring in the cold. Grab these rare deals while they last.

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      The post Duluth Trading’s winter clearance drops its toughest coats, pants, and outerwear up to 70% off appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/duluth-trading-alaskan-hardgear-coat-jacket-pants-deals-winter/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731168Sat, 17 Jan 2026 07:00:00 -0500GearOutdoor GearAlaskan Hardgear (AKHG) is Duluth Trading’s hardcore outdoors line. Where the main Duluth catalog leans into hard-wearing workwear, flannels, and versatile casual gear, AKHG is the brand’s more technical side. It’s built for outdoor use, versatile layering, and employs fabrics meant to handle sweat, weather, and abrasion. Right now, Duluth Trading has a huge clearance sale going on, which drops prices by up to 70 percent. That includes AKHG, which rarely goes on sale compared to typical fare. Grab new outdoor kit now and stay warm all winter (and for a bunch of future winters). You can literally dress like an Alaskan to stay warm.

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      Editor’s picks

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      Men’s AKHG Stone Run Standard Fit Pants $48.97 (51% off)

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      This is the deal for replacing your default jeans with something that’s actually meant for being outside. A solid pair of hiking-style pants earns its keep fast especially on windy days, travel days, and any time you’re climbing over stuff that isn’t a curb.

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      Men’s AKHG Ursa Major Parka $190 (41% off)

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      A long, insulated parka is the move for truly cold days because it keeps your core warm and doesn’t leave your thighs out in the wind. If you spend any real time outside in winter, this is the kind of layer that makes the whole season less miserable.

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      Women’s AKHG Ursa Major Waterproof Down Parka $158.97 (50% off)

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      Duluth Trading

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      If winter where you live is more wet-snow-and-freezing-rain than fluffy powder, a waterproof down parka is the right kind of overkill. It’s a long, insulated layer meant to keep you warm while still standing up to ugly weather.

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      Women’s AKHG Triple Slope 3-in-1 Jacket $103.99 (70% off)

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      Duluth Trading

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      The whole point of a 3-in-1 is that you’re not stuck committing to one level of warmth all day. It’s the kind of kit that makes sense if your week is split between commuting, dog walks, and the occasional cold weekend hike.

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      All AKHG deals

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      Outerwear and big warm layers

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      More PopSci reading to pair with these deals

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      The post Duluth Trading’s winter clearance drops its toughest coats, pants, and outerwear up to 70% off appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Hubble spots three young stars going through growth spurts]]>The trio is shining 500 light-years away from Earth.

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      The post Hubble spots three young stars going through growth spurts appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/science/growing-stars-hubble/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731222Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:57:00 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceNASASpaceSpace TelescopeNASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has captured a trio of young stars in the process of becoming their best selves in the constellation Scorpius. Posted to the agency’s site on January 16 as part of its Hubble Stellar Construction Zones series, the three T Tauri stars—seen at the bottom right, upper center, and left along with many other stellar objects in the background—are forming inside the hazy Lupus 3 cloud about 500 light-years from Earth. While the image appears somewhat serene, the interior forces at play are anything but tranquil. 

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      A T Tauri star is a young star, usually less than 10 million years old. During this phase, the still-growing stellar object sees the dust and gas surrounding it begin to disappear as stellar winds, radiation, and other ionized particles bombard it. This dynamic environment is reflected in the star’s brightness, which randomly fluctuates depending on the material interactions underway in its accretion disk. More regular shifts in brightness can also occur as sunspots move in and out of view to astronomers here on Earth.

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      The T Tauri examples seen in Hubble’s image have a long way to go before they resemble the stars most observers recognize. Gravity will continue to bear down on the object until it forces hydrogen and helium elements to fuse in the star’s core, at which point it will finally become a main sequence stellar object.

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      The stars in Scorpius are further along in their growth than the protostars highlighted by NASA on January 14, however. About 1,300 light-years away, protostars in the “sword” of Orion are getting their start inside the constellation’s Orion Molecular Cloud complex. Astronomers aimed Hubble toward this area of the sky to better understand outflow cavities—areas where a protostar’s gas and dust is shaved away by nearby stellar winds.

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      The post Hubble spots three young stars going through growth spurts appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[You need a portable jump starter in your car and Amazon has these GOOLOO models for clearance prices]]>Grab a $50 car jump starter and throw it in your trunk for when an emergency comes up. You'll be glad you did.

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      The post You need a portable jump starter in your car and Amazon has these GOOLOO models for clearance prices appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/gooloo-portable-jump-starter-tire-inflator-amazon-deals/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731231Fri, 16 Jan 2026 14:45:19 -0500GearMy car battery died last weekend. Cold weather is notorious for playing havoc with car batteries and mine bit the dust at an inconvenient time. Luckily, I had a portable jump starter as part of my car emergency kit and I managed to get where I needed to go without becoming a popsicle. Right now, Amazon has GOOLOO portable jump starters at or even below their all-time low prices. Grab one before you need one.

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      Editor’s picks

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      GOOLOO GT4000S Jump Starter (4000A, 100W fast charging) (Yellow) — $99.99 (33% off)

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      - - This is one of the best gifts I can recommend. - -

      GOOLOO

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      Keep it in the trunk, forget it exists, then use it once every couple years to feel like a genius. The integrated cables won’t get lost in your car and you won’t have to depend on a kind stranger for a jump. The 100W charging matters, too—on road trips it can pull double duty as a legit power bank for phones, tablets, and other USB-C stuff.

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      GOOLOO A5 Jump Starter with Air Compressor (4000A, 160 PSI) — $99.99 (47% off)

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      If you’re trying to cover the two most likely roadside problems with one device, this is the pick. Jump the car when the battery gives up, then top off a tire after you’ve been ignoring that warning light for a while. The inflator’s auto-off feature is underrated: you set the target pressure and let it stop itself.

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      GOOLOO GP2000 Jump Starter (2000A) — $49.99 (38% off)

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      Sometimes you just want the affordable, no-drama option. Compact, cheaper than a tow, and capable of bailing out most everyday vehicles without taking up half your trunk, it’s well worth the price.

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      Big power jump starters (4000A–6000A)

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      If you drive something larger, live somewhere cold, or just want the most headroom, start here.

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      Mid-range jump starters (2000A–3000A)

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      If you drive a typical commuter car, this tier is often plenty—and it’s the easiest on the wallet.

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      Jump starter + air compressor combos

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      If you only want to throw one thing in your trunk and call it a day, pick from this section.

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      Tire inflators (for the “I’ll do it later” crowd)

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      If your car doesn’t have a full-size spare (most don’t), this is a smart add.

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      OBD2 scanners (turn the dashboard light into actual information)

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      If you’re tired of guessing why the check-engine light came on, a scanner can save time (and sometimes a trip) by giving you a starting point.

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      Compressed air dusters (because your keyboard is disgusting)

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      Not car gear, but still useful: rechargeable air dusters are basically a reusable can of compressed air. They’re handy for keyboards, PC fans, car vents, and all the places dust likes to hide.

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      The post You need a portable jump starter in your car and Amazon has these GOOLOO models for clearance prices appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[How to make a Blockbuster VHS sleeve for any movie]]>Relive the 90s with Blockbuster Sleeve Generator.

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      The post How to make a Blockbuster VHS sleeve for any movie appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/technology/how-to-make-blockbuster-sleeve/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731210Fri, 16 Jan 2026 13:27:08 -0500TechnologyInternetIt’s difficult to explain the Blockbuster experience to those who did not get to experience it. If you never visited one of the video rental chain’s over 9,000 locations during the VHS tape heyday, there’s even a good chance it may be impossible to understand the ritual of scouring shelves for the perfect Friday night movie: the smell of hundreds of plastic clamshell cases, the distinctly garish interior designs of the 1990s, and early 2000. It is all but a memory, unless you make a pilgrimage to the last brick-and-mortar locale in Bend, Oregon.

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      That’s not to say you can’t recreate at least some of those nostalgic aesthetics. A highly accurate tape case design was first uploaded online in 2024 by programmer Ryan Finnie. At the time, however, making your own sleeves required a fair amount of manual input and adjustment. As spotted by BoingBoing, digital strategist and creator Tex Jernigan recently debuted the streamlined, free-to-use Blockbuster Sleeve Generator. Like the name implies, the website allows anyone to print out customized, highly accurate tape case labels that look nearly identical to the iconic blue-and-yellow slips once seen lining video store aisles. All the customizable elements are also integrated into a single program for any cinephiles yearning for a bit of VHS roleplaying.

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      “[Blockbuster] closed in 2010, but it lives on in our hearts as a beloved symbol of video rental culture,” Jernigan explained on the project’s website.

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      Blockbuster sleeve cover for the movie Morbius
      While this movie came out long after Blockbuster filed for bankruptcy, you can still make a sleeve for it. Credit: Blockbuster Sleeve Generator / Popular Science
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      The generator is also integrated with a film database to automatically fill in backsleeve information like cast, director, summary, release year, and approximate runtime. To make your case really look like the real thing, Jernigan even gives it an inventory barcode. After using the site’s Store Search tool (also free), users can identify the childhood Blockbuster store’s retail location number, then add on the movie’s unique code as well as the hypothetical inventory’s copy number.

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      It’s a nifty craft project for people looking for something to do with that old box of VHS tapes in the back of their closet. Jernigan also tells Popular Science that the best way of porting a show or movie onto a blank VHS tape (yes, they’re still available to buy).

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      “It’s funny, the best way is still the same: you hook a VCR up to any TV, and then press record and watch the TV while it records in real time,” he says, adding that there are also cheap HDMI-to-AV converters you use for converting from a laptop or computer.

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      “It does a slight squeezing of 1080p video so that it fits onto the screen. I think it does a great job,” he says.

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      Jernigan does note it’s worth mentioning that his personal project is “focused on the design and nostalgia side” of VHS culture, and is not intended to help illegal copying or redistribution.

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      “I always try to encourage people to be mindful of copyright and local laws and to respect the original creators,” he says.

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      But for your own home, there are few ways to better respect the pinnacle of video rental outlets than trying out Blockbuster Sleeve Generator.

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      The post How to make a Blockbuster VHS sleeve for any movie appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Bose is clearing out refurbished audio products, including a soundbar for just $99]]>Save on earbuds, headphones, soundbars, portable speakers, and more. All Bose refurbished products come with a full 1-year warranty.

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      The post Bose is clearing out refurbished audio products, including a soundbar for just $99 appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/bose-refurbished-clearance-deals-soundbars-earbuds-speakers/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731144Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:24:54 -0500GearAudioWhether you’re looking for movie dialogue you don’t have to decipher, a commute cone of silence, or the ability to transform any patch of pavement into a party, Bose has your back. And thanks to certified refurbished gear, you can upgrade without the full price sting. Act now, and you can grab a soundbar with voice-focused tuning to pull whispers and punchlines forward. Snag earbuds to erase HVAC hum and coffee shop chaos so your thoughts can collate. Or snatch a speaker you can toss in your bag so that the vibe always follows you from pool to park to porch. No matter what you choose, Bose has a sonic signature that’s warm and non-fatiguing with clear vocal presence at what are clearly unbeatable prices.

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      Bose Solo Soundbar Series II (Refurbished) $99 (50% off)

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      This low-effort upgrade for your TV is a simple set-and-forget solution to coax dialogue out from behind explosions and background music. Sidestep those tiny, tinny built-in speakers with an easy, one-connection setup. It supports Dolby decoding and is compact and clean-looking, tuned to make voices sound crisp at sane volumes and without redoing your living room.

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      Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Refurbished) $169 (43% off)

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      When the world won’t stop being loud, QuietComfort earbuds are the low-key solution. Bose noise cancellation is top-tier, and the fin-secured fit never feels clunky. The sound lands rich and controlled, offering a pocketable escape pod from the hustle and bustle. If you want serious focus without a serious investment, this is the move—ideal for flights, commuting, or making an open office feel a lot less open.

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      Bose SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) (Refurbished) $99 (38% off)

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      Whether you want background music or event audio, this is the kind of portable speaker that makes everyday listening better. It’s compact, rugged, ready for spills and designed for thrills. The sound is punchy with balance but satisfying bass, whether you’re into podcasts in the kitchen, music in the backyard, or chill hangouts that don’t need a gigantic party speaker.

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      All refurbished Bose deals

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      The post Bose is clearing out refurbished audio products, including a soundbar for just $99 appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[In ancient Arabia, people dined on sharks and stingrays]]>‘We know that these were not just ordinary proteins, but proteins from the top of the food chain.’

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      The post In ancient Arabia, people dined on sharks and stingrays appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/science/ancient-arabia-shark-eating/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731146Fri, 16 Jan 2026 11:13:32 -0500ScienceAgricultureAnimalsArchaeologyEnvironmentSharksWildlifeA 7,000-year-old grave site in present-day Oman indicates that the region’s Neolithic communities sometimes turned to an unexpected trade to not only survive, but thrive in the harsh desert landscape. According to findings published in the journal Antiquity, the people of southern Arabia actually hunted sharks and even stingrays.

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      Since 2020, researchers from the Archaeological Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague (ARÚ) have investigated Wadi Nafūn, an ancient grave site megalith (a structure built with large stones) used by Neolithic locals during the 5th century BCE. Amid their excavations, researchers found the skeletal remains of over 70 men, women, and children. But this wasn’t a single generation of people. The crypt’s size and subsequent radiocarbon dating indicate that Wadi Nafūn was built and maintained communally for over 300 years. 

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      “This monument was not built by a single small group. It represents cooperation, shared beliefs, and repeated return to a common ceremonial landscape,” project director lžběta Danielisová recently told Arkeonews.

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      Four ancient shark teeth, two of which have holes in the middle likely for necklace pendant
      Neolithic hunters likely also wore shark teeth as pendants. Credit: ARÚ Prague
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      However, Danielisová and collaborators faced an immediate challenge. Biological materials like teeth and skeletal fragments usually do not retain many organic components after being exposed to Oman’s arid climate for thousands of years. To properly understand their discoveries, the team needed to ship the materials back to the Czech Republic. There, they utilized isotopic analysis to examine a mineralized substance called bioapatite that remains on bones even after collagen disappears.

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      They particularly focused on traces of carbon, oxygen, and strontium to pinpoint some of each Neolithic person’s dietary sources of protein. But it was the discovery of certain nitrogen isotopes that surprised them most, as these compounds are only found in very specific marine animals.

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      “We know that these were not just ordinary proteins, but proteins from the top of the food chain,” Danielisová said in a university statement.

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      For hundreds of years, it appears the Neolithic communities of southern Arabia regularly hunted and consumed sharks. They didn’t only eat the apex predators, either. Throughout Wadi Nafūn, archaeologists excavated shark tooth pendants, additional tiger shark teeth, fishing tools, and stingray barbs. In order to harvest all these materials, the Neolithic hunters appear to have even used their own teeth to help process and prepare their catches.

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      “The teeth of this community have an interesting pattern. This indicates a specific diet and also that people used their teeth as tools,” explained ARÚ Prague anthropologist Jiří Šneberger.

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      Additional evidence gleaned from the isotopic analysis also showed that some of the individuals buried at Wadi Nafūn weren’t technically locals. Strontium and oxygen levels suggest certain adults buried here at least spent their childhoods over 30 miles inland. Taken altogether, the shark and human evidence illustrate a highly dynamic, resourceful, and collaborative region that used everything at their disposal to flourish.

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      “For the very first time, we were able to use natural science data to document specialized hunting of marine predators, directly by analyzing the local buried community,” said Danielisová. “The connection of this burial community with sharks is very interesting and is a new finding not only in prehistoric Arabia, but in the area of ​​all Neolithic cultures of the arid zone.”

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      The post In ancient Arabia, people dined on sharks and stingrays appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Don’t pick up frozen iguanas]]>When the temperatures drop, so do Florida's iguanas.

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      The post Don’t pick up frozen iguanas appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/environment/frozen-iguanas-florida/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731123Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:20:36 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyScienceWeatherWildlifeIn Florida, giant invasive pythons, the state’s signature alligators, and bears that sometimes roam around theme parks are typically among the most upfront wildlife in the news. But when the temperatures drop, one reptile stands ready to take the limelight and also drop—iguanas. 

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      When air temperatures get cold enough, the reptiles will get stunned (or freeze) and fall from trees. Today, morning temperatures in Jacksonville and Tallahassee dipped as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, while Orlando hit the mid-30s, and Miami fell to the upper 40s. All temperatures that are cold enough to temporarily freeze an iguana. 

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      Reptiles like iguanas are cold-blooded—or ectothermic—reptiles that rely on external environmental conditions to regulate their body temperature. By comparison, warm-blooded or endothermic animals like humans and other mammals have a more consistent body temperature. Since the outside temperature has such a drastic effect on their bodies, cold-blooded animals often adapt their behavior as a response. They may bask in the sun to warm up or find shade to cool down and achieve a more balanced body temperature. 

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      CREDIT: Florida Lad.
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      When it gets cold, iguanas may also enter a dormant state called cold-stunning or freezing since they are not adapted to life in colder temperatures. Iguanas can start to slow down if the temperature gets below 50 degrees, and stun once they hit the 40s or 30s. 

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      “When that happens, they may lose their grip and fall from the trees,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham. “It’s a unique cold-weather hazard in Florida.”

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      After they fall from a tree, they may appear to be dead. However, their critical body functions will all still be working and they will continue to breathe. Once temperatures rise, they can jump back into action as if nothing happened. 

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      Iguanas can grow up to seven feet long and weigh upwards of 30 pounds, so it is best to be cautious when walking under palm trees in colder weather. Getting hit by a reptile of that size could be dangerous. 

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      If you see a frozen iguana on the ground, do not rush in to warm them up. Joe Gonzalez from the Iguana Police told WPTV in West Palm Beach that relocating or interfering with an iguana can lead to more problems.

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      “If you capture an iguana in your own yard and don’t move it anywhere else, that’s fine,” Gonzalez said. “But if you relocate it, you’re essentially taking your problem and dumping it somewhere else. This can have legal consequences, including fines.”

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      Instead, it’s best to just leave the iguana alone. It will usually be fine once it gets over 50 degrees again. 

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      The post Don’t pick up frozen iguanas appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Why do cats lick you? An expert explains.]]>Grooming is only one way cats say, "I love you.”

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      The post Why do cats lick you? An expert explains. appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/environment/why-cats-lick-you/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731052Fri, 16 Jan 2026 09:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsAsk Us AnythingCatsPetsScienceIf you’ve ever been around a cat, you know they can get the sudden urge to groom themselves at just about any moment. You’re petting them on the couch. They’re purring. Everything seems lovely and content. Then, they lose all interest in you and start licking their butt. 

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      But some felines don’t just lick themselves: They also lick you. A cat will be busy grooming themselves. Then, without warning, they’ll turn their spiky tongues on their unsuspecting humans. Other cats can’t be bothered and won’t ever groom or lick their human friends, or other kitty friends for that matter. 

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      So, why do some cats lick their owners? Are they trying to clean you, too? We asked an animal behaviorist and cat expert to help us sort out exactly what is going on when your cat licks you.

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      Mama cats regularly groom their babies

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      For a mother cat, grooming is an important part of child rearing. When a mama cat licks her kittens it serves two important purposes: keeping her kittens clean and promoting social bonds, Kristyn Vitale, an animal behaviorist at Maueyes Cat Science and Education tells Popular Science. 

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      On the one hand, “mother cats are going to groom their kittens to help keep them clean and healthy,” says Vitale. Kittens can be especially susceptible to diseases, and “anybody who’s raised young kittens knows how dirty they can get, and a mother cat is not going to obviously bathe their kitten in a tub. They’re going to use their tongue to clean them.”

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      A white cat with a black spot between her ear and eye licks a small Siamese-looking kitten with light blue eyes. The mother cat wears a green collar. They both sit on white bedspread.
      Cats learn to groom from their mothers. Image: DepositPhotos
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      But grooming also helps a mother cat strengthen her relationship with her kittens, says Vitale. A mother licking her babies is “one of the kitten’s first forms of social interaction.” 

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      It’s essentially a way for mothers to say, “I love you and I care for you.”

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      How grooming shifts for cats in adulthood

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      Kittens learn to groom from their mom, and usually start grooming themselves when they’re around four weeks old. Pretty soon after that, some cats “begin to reciprocate [their mother’s] grooming and they’ll groom their siblings or other unrelated cats and also preferred people in the house,” says Vitale. 

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      If your cat grooms other cats, animal behaviorists like Vitale call those cats their “preferred associates.” For instance, bonded cats often groom each other as a way to reinforce their bestie status. For cats, grooming other cats becomes “a very important social behavior that helps build bonds between the individuals.”

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      Wild cats lick each other, too

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      We also see the same behavior in wild cats where mothers groom their cubs to keep them clean and strengthen their connection, says Vitale. In adulthood, wild cats might continue to groom others. You don’t have to search hard to find adorable videos online of lions and tigers licking their besties.

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      Like domestic cats, lions will lick their feline buddies. Video: Lions Cuddling and Licking Each Other/ DerpDerp
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      But Vitale says there is one big difference here. A lot of wild cats, like tigers or even the closest relative of domestic cats, the African wild cat, “don’t live in social groups the same way the domestic cat does.” So they don’t always have the same opportunities to shower their buddies with love, because, well, they just don’t really have many buddies.

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      Cats lick humans to strengthen your relationship

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      So why, then, do some cats licks their owners? In general, if your cat licks you, it’s them saying (in so many licks) that they love you. 

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      Vitale says when her cat licks her, she sees it as them “engaging in a social behavior with me” that’s strengthening our relationship. “I’m thinking in my mind that they’re just in a happy mood and looking to hang out together and interact a little bit.” 

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      What if your cat doesn’t lick you?

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      While all cats groom themselves (which is why you don’t really need to worry about baths for most cats), not all cats groom other cats or their human friends. But should you feel bad if your cat doesn’t lick you? Does it mean they don’t love you? “No!” says Vitale. 

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      “Licking’s just one social behavior they could engage in. If your cat just sits on your lap, or sits near you, or your cat’s rubbing up against you, or your cat plays with you, those are all other social behaviors that show there’s a bond,” she says. Cats show love for their owners in all sorts of ways, she emphasizes. “Licking is just one thing a cat could do.”

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      Vitale has three cats, and of the three she says only one licks her, “very, very sparingly, like once or twice a month.” 

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      So, don’t worry, whether they’re a licker or not, your cat loves you. They might just have a different way of showing it. 

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      In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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      The post Why do cats lick you? An expert explains. appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[The best folding electric bikes for 2026, tested and reviewed]]>When it comes to easily transportable e-bikes, you gotta know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to ride away, and when the battery’s done.

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      The post The best folding electric bikes for 2026, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/best-folding-electric-bikes/https://www.popsci.com/?p=605880Thu, 15 Jan 2026 15:40:04 -0500GearOutdoor GearAll sorts of interesting one- and two-wheeled vehicles crisscross my city streets, including an increasing number of affordable, portable forms of tech-packed personal transportation . Spandex-clad cyclists take advantage of protected lanes, while electric scooters zip over sidewalks (and anywhere else). Occasionally, an odd unicyclist or one-wheeler breaks up the predictability. I particularly like to watch foldable e-bike riders who go from trail to train, transforming their personal transit into a cube to carry through a crowd. These now-you-see-it, now-you-don’t collapsible electric bikes offer power assistance for commuting or errands without taking up valuable real estate in an apartment or townhouse. These flexible options can often fit into an SUV or RV for extended outdoor adventures without the need for a heavy-duty, and often expensive, rack. We’ve updated the most reliable options—like our best overall, the Lectric XP4—so you can find the best folding electric bikes to match your riding style and needs.

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      How we selected the best folding electric bikes

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      We don’t test these bikes in a lab—we take them out into the wild. That means folding and unfolding them on sidewalks, rolling them into elevators to see if they actually fit, and lifting them into car trunks to find out if it’s a one-person job or a two-person struggle. We ride the same loops we’d take to work or the store—complete with potholes, stoplights, sketchy shoulders, and plenty of zippy scooters.

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      Every bike gets pushed on performance: full pedal assist, lights on, up and down hills until the battery taps out. We pay attention to what it’s like to live with the thing—how it rides, how it folds, and whether we’d actually want to use it every day.

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      The best folding electric bikes: Reviews & Recommendations

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      Folding e-bikes are all about space efficiency, but what that looks like depends on the rider and what accessories you might want to carry. If you’re an urban commuter navigating a cramped apartment, crowded train platforms, and zero bike parking, you want something that folds fast, rolls easy, and doesn’t make enemies in the elevator. On the flip side, RVers, van-lifers, or campers may want a more rugged ride with enough power and range to cruise trails, run errands, or sub in for a car when you’re off-grid.

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      All folding e-bikes promise one thing: they take up less space when you’re not riding them. Most have shorter wheelbases, lower standover heights thanks to smaller diameter wheels, and upright riding positions that keep you visible in traffic and balanced at low speeds. But the real magic is in the fold, whether that’s a single hinge or a multi-jointed origami routine. If you’re just tucking it into a hallway or closet, weight might not be a dealbreaker. But if you’re hauling it into a trunk or up a flight of stairs, make sure it’s something you can lift without needing an ice pack after.

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      If you’re used to riding full-sized bikes, folding e-bikes do take some getting used to (as do all e-bikes). Taller riders might feel like they’re perched on a circus act, while smaller riders often find the compact fit more confidence-inspiring. The sharper turning radius is a win in tight spaces, but some gearing setups can leave you spinning without much payoff. Ride a few miles, though, and most people settle into the rhythm quickly.

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      Best overall: Lectric XP4

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      - Black Lectric XP4 best overall folding ebike on a grey gradient - -
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      Lectric

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      - Pros

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      • Front oil suspension fork
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      • Rear rack that can hold up to 150 pounds
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      • Five levels of pedal assist plus throttle
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      • Front and rear 602 hydraulic brakes
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      • Integrated headlights and rear lights
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      • Front and rear fenders
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      • Removable battery
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      • External charging port
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      • Slime-lined tires to prevent flats
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      • Multiple mounting points for additional accessories
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      • 1-year warranty
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      - Cons

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      • Long-range battery available for extra
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      • Well-organized, but external wires and cords
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      • Nothing to secure the bike when folded
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      - Specs

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      • - - Unfolded bike: - - - 66 inches long by 18.5 inches wide by 45 inches tall -
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      • - - Folded bike: - - - 37 inches by 17 inches wide by 29 inches tall -
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      • - - Motor: - - - 500W hub motor with 55Nm of torque (750W option available) -
        • -
      • - - Battery: - - - 672Wh lithium-ion -
        • -
      • - - Riding range: - - - Up to 50 miles using pedal assist or up to 20 using throttle only (Long-range 85-mile version available) -
        • -
      • - - Class: - - - 1, 2, or 3 -
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      • - - Top speed: - - - 28 mph -
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      • - - Bike weight: - - - 62 pounds without battery (7 lbs.) -
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      • - - Carrying capacity: - - - 330 pounds (combining rider and passenger/cargo) -
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      Lectric is one of the OGs of foldable electric bikes, so much so that I’d nearly always get a shout or recognition from another Lectric rider when I was riding one around town. They’d chat with me at a stop or ride alongside me for a bit, and I can honestly say it’s never happened to me on another brand of e-bike. The Lectric XP4 finetunes what it’s learned from previous models for an affordable, fun ride with five pedal-assist levels and a thumb throttle. Lectric added more juice to the 500W motor, which can peak at 1,092W and kick out 55Nm of torque.

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      The tires are fat-tire lite—20 by 3 inches with custom tread—which makes for a more cushioned ride with the front suspension fork. The improved Shimano Altus gearing and an in-house-designed torque sensor mean less furious pedaling than other models to get up to top speeds. Lectric lists the standard step-over at $1,300 (there are also step-thru and long-range variations), but you can often find it on sale for a grand—and yet, it still has hydraulic brakes, which are a rarity at this price point. The XP4 also comes stock with many nice commuter extras, like integrated lights, front and rear fenders, and a monster rear rack that can hold up to 150 pounds. Lectric offers a ton of accessories, including a passenger seat for light riders (e.g., kids). It now features a TFT LCD color display with a USB-C charging port.

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      For most people, the Lectric will meet their folding e-bike needs, but it’s not perfect. Lectric, more than many brands, makes you well aware of cords. While the wiring up front is well-organized, nothing is internally threaded. It folds at two points—at mid-frame and the handlebars—and it frankly takes some practice to align pedals, handlebars, and wheels just right. You’ll also need a bungee cord (or something similar) to keep everything nice and tight if you want to move the bike while folded (see below). But it does get small enough to go into a typical car trunk—not a Miata, let’s not get crazy. It is, however, a heavy 62 pounds (69 unless you scrap the battery).

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      A black Lectric XP4 ebike folded on a grey gradient
      Lectric
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      Best for urban and multimodal commuters: Brompton Electric G Line

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      - A Traildust White Brompton Electric G Line ebike folded and placed in the back of an Aegean Blue Honda Fit - -
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      Heather Kuldell-Ware

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      - Pros

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      • One of the most compact folding bikes
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      • Equipped for commuting with integrated front and rear lights, fenders with mudflaps, rear rack, and a bell
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      • Balance and handling like a full-size bike
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      • Removable battery pack for easy charging or secure storage
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      • Excellent for multi-modal commuters
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      • Comes in three frame sizes to fit riders from 5’ to 6’6”
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      • Available in three colors: adventure orange, forest green, traildust white (shown)
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      • Optional app
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      - Cons

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      • Rocker-style display controls for PAS aren’t immediately intuitive
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      • Larger wheels mean folding takes more practice
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      • No throttle and no suspension, so plan to pedal and expect vibration on rougher roads
        • -
      • Pricey for casual commuters
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      - Specs

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      • - - Folded size: - - - 28.3 inches deep × 26.2 inches tall × 16 inches wide -
        • -
      • - - Motor: - - - 250W rear-hub motor -
        • -
      • - - Battery: - - - 345Wh capacity, charges to 100% in 4-5 hours -
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      • - - Removeable battery: - - - Yes (housed in front-mounted bag) -
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      • - - Compliance: - - - UL 2849 certified -
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      • - - Riding range: - - - 20 to 45 miles -
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      • - - Class: - - - 1 -
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      • - - Top assisted speed: - - - 20 mph -
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      • - - Throttle: - - - No -
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      • - - Drivetrain: - - - 4-speed -
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      • - - Brakes: - - - Tektro hydraulic disc -
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      • - - Tires: - - - 20-inch Schwalbe G-One Allround 54-406 tan wall  -
        • -
      • - - Bike weight: - - - About 43 pounds w/ battery bag (35 lbs. bike only) -
        • -
      • - - Connectivity: - - - Brompton Electric app (iOS and Android) -
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      - - - -

      The Brompton Electric G Line doesn’t look like your average e-bike—and that’s the point. This is the electrified version of Brompton’s iconic folding bike, designed for people who need a compact ride that’s easy to stash indoors or carry onto public transit. It folds down smaller than anything else in this roundup, and hides its motor and battery inside a clever front-mounted bag that clicks on and off the frame. It’s a refined solution for riders who live in apartments, juggle multi-leg commutes, or just don’t have a safe spot to lock up a full-sized bike.

      - - - -

      At about 43 pounds, the Electric G Line is heavy for Brompton but very light for an e-bike, especially a folding one. Its signature tri-fold is among the fastest folding bikes: pivot the rear wheel under, collapse the main frame, and fold down the handlebars. The whole process only takes a couple of minutes, and the rear rack has wheels that let you roll the folded bike rather than lug it around. Skilled unfolders can kinda flick the bike open, but my short stature never got the hang of it—or it could be the G Line’s larger 20-inch wheels. Still, for people who go from bike ride to subway, the whole package rolls easily through a station and can slide under a desk once you get to an office. 

      - - - -

      Despite its small size and quirky looks, the G Line rides like a much bigger bike. The 250W rear hub motor is quiet and natural-feeling, giving a smooth assist that enhances your pedaling without ever lurching forward. It’s paired with a 345Wh battery and a four-speed drivetrain that shifts cleanly—even if you might wish for an extra gear when really pushing. The high-volume Schwalbe tires soak up most road chatter, and the stretched frame geometry gives it a stable, planted feel. On paved streets and smooth trails, it feels confident and composed. Gravel is more of a backup plan; the G Line can handle light dirt or hardpack, but without suspension, rougher terrain sends vibration straight to your hands.

      - - - -

      The cockpit is minimal, and that can be a blessing or a quirk depending on your style. The small color display looks great, and you change pedal assist level by rocking the screen up or down. However, so many control units use physical buttons or touchscreens that this movement isn’t necessarily intuitive. You can also change assist levels from the battery bag or via the Brompton app, but neither is a fast mid-ride adjustment. On a full battery with max assist, it delivered over 27 miles of city and trail riding in testing, and it steps down its support gradually as the battery drains. Even fully unpowered, the bike is easy to ride thanks to its well-balanced frame and drivetrain.

      - - - -

      The G Line isn’t a casual purchase—it starts around $4,950—but it’s not built for casual needs. It’s a splurge for riders who want the convenience of a folding bike with the ride feel of something much larger, and who plan to use it as part of everyday life. If your bike lives inside with you, travels on trains, or gets folded twice a day, this one earns its keep. As we explained in our full review, the G Line makes few compromises for something this compact, and still manages to be fun, functional, and unexpectedly fast.

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      A Traildust White Brompton Electric G Line folding ebike leaning against a wooded guardrail on the C&O Towpath, green grass and trees in the background
      Heather Kuldell-Ware
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      Best for off-road adventures: HeyBike Mars 3.0

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      • 750 W (1,400 W peak) motor with serious torque
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      • Full suspension and fat tires for comfort and traction
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      • Multiple security layers: NFC cards, PIN, app, and key
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      • High-capacity battery for longer ranges
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      • Comes with built-in electronic horn, brake lights, and turn signals
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      • Comes in three colors: orange, blue and black
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      - Cons

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      • Stiff center hinge can make removing the battery or folding a two-person affair
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      • Dynamic battery gauge can be hard to predict
        • -
      • Hard to secure to a bike rack without a long, flexible chain
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      • It folds, but it still requires larger vehicles for transport
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      • It’s easy to forget the key required for riding
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      - Specs

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      • - - Folded size - - - 38.2 inches tall x 19.7 inches wide x 33.1 inches deep -
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      • - - Motor - - - 750 W (1,400 W peak) rear hub with 95 Nm torque -
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      • - - Battery - - - 624 Wh -
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      • - - Removable - - - Yes, lockable -
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      • - - Compliance - - - UL 2849 -
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      • - - Range - - - Up to 65 miles -
        • -
      • - - Class - - - Ships as Class 2, can be changed to 1 or 3 -
        • -
      • - - Top speed - - - Unlock up to 30 mph -
        • -
      • - - Throttle - - - Yes -
        • -
      • - - Tires - - - 20″ × 4″ fat tires -
        • -
      • - - Suspension - - - Front hydraulic fork with 65mm travel and rear Horst-link -
        • -
      • - - Drivetrain - - - Shimano Altus 8-speed -
        • -
      • - - Weight - - - about 70 lb -
        • -
      • - - Frame size - - - One, fits riders from 4’11” to 6’2” -
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      • - - Connectivity - - - HeyBike app -
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      The Heybike Mars 3.0 is built for weekend wanderers, RV adventurers, and anyone who’d rather be bouncing down a trail than weaving through traffic. With 4-inch fat tires and full suspension, it turns cracked pavement and chunky gravel into something closer to a suggestion than a challenge. It’s less about fitting into tight spaces and more about blasting out into wide-open ones.

      - - - -

      Twist the throttle or tap the pedals, and the Mars 3.0 surges forward like it’s been waiting for a greenlight at a race track. In Eco mode, pedaling feels effortless, and hills practically vanish. Kick it into Boost, and pedaling becomes optional. The plush suspension softens every hit, giving even rough trails a floaty, playful vibe. It’s the kind of ride that makes you seek out the bumpy route just for the fun of it.

      - - - -

      Yes, it folds, but you’ll need to mean it. At around 70 pounds, the Mars 3.0 is hefty, and the folding process—collapsing the frame and dropping the handlebars—is made trickier by its bulk and a center hinge that started out pretty stiff. There’s a built-in stand to keep stress off the drivetrain, but lifting it into a car is a two-person job for most people. It fit in a hatchback, barely, and would be more at home rolling into an RV or the back of a pickup.

      - - - -

      You’ll also need to keep track of the required key, and in fact, the Mars 3.0 features a multilayered security system that lets you choose between unlocking the bike with the app, PIN code, or NFC card. It feels like overkill until you remember this bike is basically a joyride machine, and Heybike clearly doesn’t want it rolling away without you.

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      If you think of folding as a way to bring your bike to the trail—not necessarily store it under your desk—this one makes a strong case. As we explained in our full review, the Mars 3.0 trades sleekness for capability, and for the right kind of rider, that’s exactly the point.

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      A Vivid ORange Hetbike Mars 3.0 sitting on green grass
      Heather Kuldell-Ware
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      Best for long-range rides: Velotric Fold 1 Plus

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      - A blue Velotric Fold 1 Plus folding ebike on its kickstand in front of a colorful mural - -
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      Heather Kuldell

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      - Pros

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      • Option to switch between torque and cadence sensors
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      • Speed customization available
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      • Fully equipped for commuting with fenders, rear rack, 130 lux front light with adjustable angle, and rear brake light with turn signals
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      • Comfy ride with front suspension and cushy saddle
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      • Long-range and powerful 750W motor
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      • Telescoping handlebars
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      • Simple, company fold with stand to keep from putting weight on delicate components
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      • USB-C plug for phone charging
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      • Integrated Apple Find My
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      • Velotric app connectivity
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      • Comes in four colors: Mango, Electric Blue (the model tested), Stone Gray, and Pearl White
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      - Cons

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      • May not fit easily in standard car trunks 
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      • Battery can be a little tricky to slide in and out of the frame
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      • Folding pedals feel unintuitive at first
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      • Motor gets noticeably louder on higher mode and assist combos
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      • Not for subway/train commuters
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      - Specs

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      • - - Folded bike: - - - 37.8 inches long x 19.7 inches wide x 33.5 inches high -
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      • - - Motor: - - - 750W (up to 1,100 W peak) rear hub -
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      • - - Battery: - - - 624Wh, IPX7 and UL 2271 Certified -
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      • - - Riding range: - - - Up to 68 miles (pedal assist), up to 45 miles (throttle only) -
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      • - - Class: - - - 1, 2, or 3 (adjustable) -
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      • - - Top speed: - - - 28 mph (adjustable) -
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      • - - Bike weight: - - - 63 pounds -
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      • - - Carrying capacity: - - - 450 pounds total (up to 120 pounds on rear rack) -
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      The Velotric Fold 1 Plus answers the question, “Can a bike be chill and still haul?” with a confident yep. Its 750W rear hub motor (1,100W peak) rockets you off the line, while a 624Wh battery delivers an eyebrow-raising 68 miles on pedal assist. That’s “all-day adventure” territory—without the sore legs.

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      One size really does fit all here (as our full review reveals): the ultra-low step-through frame welcomes riders from 4’9” to 6’5” and keeps cargo (up to 120 pounds on the rear rack) stable and steady. The ride is pure cush—front suspension, plush saddle, upright stance, and chunky 20×3-inch puncture-resistant tires soak up bumps so you can focus on grinning.

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      Commuter cred? Fully earned. Full fenders, a 130-lux aimable headlight, brake-activated rear light with turn signals, hydraulic disc brakes, and even a USB-C port to juice your phone mid-ride. It folds to 37.8 x 19.7 x 33.5 inches—compact enough for SUVs and RVs—while a built-in stand and velcro strap keep the package neat. Though it would be bulky if you’re trying to go from trail to train.

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      Here’s the kicker: you can tune it to your mood. Swap between torque and cadence sensors, tweak top speed up to 28 mph (or dial it down for the kids), and track every ride through the Velotric app—with Apple Find My as your digital safety net.

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      Fast, comfy, and ridiculously versatile, the Fold 1 Plus isn’t just a folding bike—it’s your ticket to go farther, faster, and have more fun doing it. A do-it-all folder for riders of almost any size, this e-bike aims to (and mostly does) fit nearly everyone’s needs.

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      Side closeup of a blue Velotric Fold 1 Plus folding ebike completely folded in front of a grey stone wall
      Heather Kuldell
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      Best lightweight: Urtopia Carbon Fold 1

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      - A Saffron Yellow Urtopia Carbon Fold folding e-bike in the afternoon sun on a patch of green and brown grass. - -
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      Tony Ware

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      - Pros

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      • Carbon fiber frame means exceptionally lightweight
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      • No assembly required
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      • Colorful, crisp display
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      • Short wheelbase means nimble handling
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      • Nice large chainring means it doesn’t feel like you’re peddling furiously
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      • Hydraulic disc brakes
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      • Integrated headlight/tailight
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      • Front and rear fenders
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      • Removable battery clearly placed in seat post
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      • Very fast two-step fold, with magnetic fasteners to keep things compact during transport
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      • Latches feel rigid and secure when in play
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      - Cons

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      • Carbon fiber isn’t cheap
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      • Max range may be more optimistic than realistic
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      • Carbon fiber absorbs a fair amount of road, but it can’t replace the comfort of actual suspension
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      - Specs

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      • - - Folded bike: - - - 800 mm x 680mm -
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      • - - Motor: - - - 500W peak rear hub motor w/ 42Nm torque -
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      • - - Battery: - - - 252Wh lithium-ion -
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      • - - Riding range: - - - Up to 40 miles -
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      • - - Class: - - - 2 -
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      • - - Top speed: - - - 20 mph -
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      • - - Bike weight: - - - 29 pounds -
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      • - - Maximum rider weight: - - - 220 pounds -
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      The Urtopia Carbon Fold 1 is a shockingly delightful but diminutive Shimano Altus 8-speed commuter that folds up fast and rides even faster. Thanks to its brightly painted carbon fiber frame and fork (the company’s signature material, Saffron Yellow colorway shown above), this bike weighs just 29 pounds. That makes it light enough to toss into small car trunks or an RV for road trips, camping, or other overlanding adventures. And makes it a dream if you live in a multi-story walkup and/or need to factor subway rides into your commute. Despite its compact build (which arrives fully assembled), it can support riders from 5’1’’ to 6’1’’ and up to 220 pounds in total weight, though taller or long-legged riders may feel somewhat cramped. 

      - - - -

      Little details make a big difference: Built-in magnets keep the bike securely folded while you move it around—no awkward flopping. Heavy-duty latches lock it back into riding position. Cable management is clean. A central cutout serves as a handle and place to thread your chain, so no one can fold the bike off its lock. 

      - - - -

      Out on the road, the 500W peak rear hub motor and 42Nm of torque provide quick, zippy acceleration, allowing you to reach speeds of up to 20mph. Its low standover height makes it super-easy for frequent stopping and standing during city rides. It also has a short wheelbase, making it excessively nimble—great for dodging cars illegally parked in the bike lane and weaving through potholes, cones, or people staring at their phones. Plus, the TEKTRO hydraulic disc brakes are responsive. It’s surprisingly fun for something whose main function is to be practical. 

      - - - -

      The 252Wh battery is cleverly hidden in the seat post (which can be fully removed for charging/storing … or to deter thieves, because a bike with no seat is just an extremely inconvenient scooter). It powers the motor, but also the color screen and integrated headlight/taillight. It feels like it’s designed for several short jaunts rather than significant mileage; however, as the published 40-mile range seems optimistic, especially on assist levels above Eco (Touring mode felt closer to the 20s). 

      - - - -

      My version two wishlist includes a more sensitive torque sensor and a bigger battery, but for anyone short on space—or anyone who wants a travel bike without messing with a rack—the Carbon Fold is a blast. The Carbon Fold 1’s recommended retail price is $2,500, but it has been consistently on sale for $1,600. 

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      Two people carrying Urtopia Carbon Fold bikes up stairs
      Urtopia
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      Best value: Ride1Up Portola

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      • Five pedal assist modes plus throttle
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      • Front suspension fork
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      • Dual-piston hydraulic brakes
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      • Front and back fenders
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      • Rear rack holds up to 130 pounds
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      • Integrated front and rear bikes
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      • Folding pedals
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      • Chainguard stay
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      • Short velcro strap to hold the bike together when folded
        • -
      • 1-year warranty
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      - Cons

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      • Long-range battery available for extra
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      • Well-organized, but external wires and cords
        • -
      • Taller riders may find leg extension lacking
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      - Specs

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      • - - Unfolded bike: - - - 66.2 inches long by 19 inches wide by 44.4 inches tall -
        • -
      • - - Folded bike: - - - 33 inches long by 19 inches wide by 29.5 inches tall -
        • -
      • - - Motor: - - - 750W geared hub motor with 65Nm torque -
        • -
      • - - Battery: - - - 500Wh -
        • -
      • - - Riding range: - - - Up to 40 miles -
        • -
      • - - Class: - - - Switchable to 1, 2 or 3 -
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      • - - Top speed: - - - 28 mph -
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      The Ride1Up Portola has a big ol’ motor—750W, the largest of this roundup. It also features a front suspension fork, 8-speed drivetrain, hydraulic brakes, and a muscular welded rear rack that can hold up to 130 pounds. These details are surprising to find on a folding e-bike and downright shocking to find on one that costs less than a grand.

      - - - -

      The Portola offers a lot to like, especially at the price point. Sturdy 20-inch by 3-inch tires and a front suspension fork work together to keep the rider relatively comfortable. There’s only one frame size, which Ride1Up calls “one size fits most,” or in this case, means riders from 4’10” to 6’4”—though taller riders or long-legged ones note they’d like a little more extension when they pedal. 

      - - - -

      The Portola initially starts with a 10.4Ah battery, but an upgrade to 13.4Ah is only $100 more. With five pedal-assist levels and a throttle, you might want the extra juice. The range is up to 40—or 45 with the larger battery. The e-bike also can be switched between Class 1, 2, or 3, depending on whether you want to limit or unleash a potential top speed of 28 mph. And here’s one very simple but very nice touch that many folding bike makers overlook: The Portola has a small velcro strap to secure the bike when it’s folded. It takes some fussing to get the wheels and handlebars just right, but folding bike owners frequently add their own bungees or straps because nothing was included. 

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      What to consider when searching for the best folding electric bikes

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      Usually, a search for an e-bike begins with sticker shock, especially if you don’t ride other bicycles. You can find budget electric bikes under $1,000, though models quickly get into the multiple thousands. Expect to find more powerful motors with more torque, larger batteries, and frames made of higher-quality, often lighter-weight materials as the price climbs. They’re like cars: You can find a reasonably priced, reliable model or spend serious bucks on high-end components, luxury features, and eye-grabbing designs. While the options may be daunting, there is a model out there to suit your tastes and budget, whether you’re looking for the best electric commuter bike or the best fat tire electric bike. 

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      It’s also worth checking whether your state offers tax credits or rebates for e-bikes to encourage adoption.

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      E-bike classes: What they mean for folding bikes

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      E-bike classes help define how fast your bike can go with motor assist and where you’re legally allowed to ride. This matters a lot if you plan to ride on bike paths, public trails, or shared-use routes. However, the rules will vary from state to state and from locality to locality. Before buying, check your local laws because some states treat e-bikes like regular bikes, while others (like Alaska and New Mexico) regulate them more like mopeds. (Check out the non-profit advocacy group People for Bikes’ guide for state laws.)

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      To make this even muddier, many e-bikes allow the owners to change classes through the display or an app. This is usually called “unlocking,” but it’s a simple setting that lets you set a top speed of 20 or 28 miles per hour. Similarly, some e-bikes have throttles that can be enabled, disabled, or totally removed. 

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      ClassHow it worksAssist limitWhat it means for you
      Class 1Pedal-assist motor onlyStops assisting at 20 mphUsually allowed on bike paths and trails
      Class 2Throttle and pedal assistStops assisting at 20 mphThrottle use may be restricted in some areas
      Class 3Pedal-assist motor onlyStops assisting at 28 mphSometimes banned from shared-use paths and may have age and/or helmet rules
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      Hub motor vs. mid-drive: What’s the difference?

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      Most folding e-bikes use hub motors, usually built into the rear wheel. They’re simple, affordable, and beginner-friendly. The power comes on smoothly—more like a steady push than a sudden surge—which makes them great for casual riders or flat city commutes.

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      Mid-drive motors, which sit at the cranks, are more efficient and offer better torque for climbing hills or hauling loads. They feel more like traditional cycling because they work with your gears. You’ll find them less often on folding bikes due to their cost and complexity, but if you do, it’s a premium upgrade.

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      Motor power is usually measured in watts, ranging from 250W to the legal U.S. max of 750W. More watts can mean more speed and stronger acceleration, but torque is what really helps with hill climbs and quick takeoffs. If you’re in a hilly area or want zippier starts, look for motors with high torque ratings.

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      Batteries: Range, charging, and what really matters

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      Range is one of those features e-bike makers love to hype—and it’s getting better all the time. These days, even folding models often boast 60, 70, or even 85 miles on a single charge without needing a second battery. But actually hitting those numbers? That depends.

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      Published ranges usually list a minimum and a maximum, and the real-world number lives somewhere in between. Terrain, rider weight, cargo, temperature, tire pressure, and how hard you push the motor (pedal assist vs. throttle, low vs. max level) all make a difference. For example, my commute in the summer takes a quarter of my fully charged battery, but in extreme headwinds or freezing temps, it can easily eat up more than half of my battery. Same ride, same battery, different conditions. If your planned ride is 15 miles round-trip, don’t buy a bike with a 15-mile max and hope for the best—get something with some buffer.

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      Removable batteries are especially helpful for folding bikes. You can charge them inside, swap in a spare for long rides, or remove them for storage. Integrated batteries keep things sleek and tamper-resistant, but mean bringing the whole bike to an outlet. Bigger batteries weigh more, but they also give you more flexibility and less range anxiety.

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      One last thing: battery safety isn’t optional. Look for certifications like UL 2849 (entire system), UL 2271 (battery only), or EN 15194 (European standard). These show that the battery’s been tested against overheating, impact, and general misuse.

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      FAQs

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      -
      Q: What are the downsides of folding electric bikes?

      Folding e-bikes can be game-changers for commuters, but they come with a few trade-offs. They’re usually more expensive than non-electric bikes and heavier than standard folders. You’ll also need a place to charge—or look for a model with a removable battery you can charge indoors. Over time, batteries degrade and need to be replaced. And while most bike shops can service standard parts, proprietary systems or wiring may need brand-specific help. Folding frames also introduce additional wear points, such as hinges, latches, and clamps, which may loosen over time and with repeated use.

      Q: Can folding e-bikes go long distances?

      Yes. Many folding e-bikes advertise up to 40 to 80 miles of range, but real-world numbers depend on terrain, assist level, rider and cargo weight, and weather. If you ride mostly flat roads on low assist, your battery will stretch much farther than if you’re using throttle up steep hills. As for comfort, smaller wheels and minimal suspension mean you’ll feel more of the road, so “long distance” might come with more bumps.
       

      Q: How much do folding electric bikes weigh?

      Folding e-bikes generally weigh between 35 and 70 pounds. Lighter models made with carbon fiber or smaller motors can dip below 35, while more powerful or accessory-loaded models hit the upper end. They’re still easier to maneuver than traditional e-bikes thanks to their compact shape and smaller wheels—but lifting one into a trunk or up stairs? That’s where the real test comes in.

      Q: Are folding e-bikes allowed on trains and buses?

      In most cities, yes. Transit systems usually allow folding bikes on board, especially if they’re compact and folded before boarding. Just be prepared to carry or roll it quickly, and avoid peak commute times if the bike takes up space. Always check local transit rules—some systems restrict e-bikes by weight, battery size, or class.

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      Final thoughts on the best folding electric bikes

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      Folding electric bikes are a funny sort of transportation. They’re purpose-built to be easy to transport or store, which may mean some compromises in riding comfort. However, this category of bikes has come a long way, incorporating fatter tires, more suspension systems, and hydraulic brakes for superior stopping power, along with more options than ever before. Find the model that fits—literally—into your apartment, car, or commute, and enjoy the ride. 

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      The post The best folding electric bikes for 2026, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Black hole space volcano erupts after 100-million-year nap]]>Spanning 1 million light-years, J1007+3540's plasma jets are nearly 10 times wider than the Milky Way.

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      The post Black hole space volcano erupts after 100-million-year nap appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/science/black-hole-space-volcano/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731040Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:58:16 -0500ScienceBlack HolesDeep SpaceSpaceSpace TelescopeA supermassive black hole is reawakening inside a distant galaxy cluster—and after almost 100 million years of slumber, astronomers now say it’s making up for lost time. According to a study published today in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, J1007+3540 is erupting like a volcano and spewing plasma across interstellar space.

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      A black hole isn’t constantly devouring its unfortunate galactic neighbors. In fact, it can lay dormant for eons. But when one of these gargantuan entities finally reawakens, the resulting display isn’t only impressive—it illustrates the chaotic battle between its own cosmic forces and the pressures of the universe around it.

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      One of the most striking glimpses of such an event was recently captured by a team led by Shobha Kumari at India’s Midnapore City College. Supermassive black holes rarely emit magnetized, radio-emitting plasma, but according to Kumari, J1007+3540 is especially unique. After analyzing data collected by the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) in the Netherlands and India’s Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope (uGMRT), researchers say there is undeniable evidence of multiple eruptions stretching deep into the universe’s past.

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      “It’s like watching a cosmic volcano erupt again after ages of calm—except this one is big enough to carve out structures stretching nearly a million light-years across space,” Kumari said in a statement.

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      The same images with labels showing the compressed northern lobe, curved backflow signature of plasma and the inner jet of the black hole. -
      The same images with labels showing the compressed northern lobe, curved backflow signature of plasma and the inner jet of the black hole. Credit: LOFAR / Pan-STARRS / Kumari et al.
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      Radio imaging revealed a small, bright interior jet indicative of J1007+3540’s internal forces revving back up. But surrounding this illumination is an older layer of fading, distorted plasma from previous active eras.

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      “This dramatic layering of young jets inside older, exhausted lobes is the signature of an episodic [active galactic nucleus]—a galaxy whose central engine keeps turning on and off over cosmic timescales,” added Kumari.

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      The supermassive black hole’s forces are unfathomably strong, but the influences of the giant galaxy cluster around it can’t be ignored either. The surrounding plumes of incredibly hot gas exert their own pressure, in this case even higher than most other radio galaxies. These cosmic regions then mangle and distort J1007+3540’s plasma jets as they race outward. For example, LOFAR’s imaging depicts a compressed northern lobe that is curving to one side due to the galactic gas. Complimentary data from uGMRT reveals a very steep radio spectrum indicative of old, weakened plasma particles.

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      “J1007+3540 is one of the clearest and most spectacular examples of episodic AGN with jet-cluster interaction, where the surrounding hot gas bends, compresses, and distorts the jets,” added Surajit Paul, a study coauthor and astronomer at the Manipal Center for Natural Sciences in India.

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      Moving forward, Kumari, Paul, and their collaborators hope to employ higher-resolution equipment to peer into J1007+3540’s core. In doing so, researchers can better chart how the black hole’s reignited jets travel through the galaxy cluster, as well as how often such events actually occur.

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      The post Black hole space volcano erupts after 100-million-year nap appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Congress trying to make it easier to unsubscribe (again)]]>Two representatives re-introduced a 'click-to-cancel' bill to end sneaky fee traps.

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      The post Congress trying to make it easier to unsubscribe (again) appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/technology/unsubscribe-bill-congress/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731029Thu, 15 Jan 2026 12:05:00 -0500TechnologyInternetTwo elected officials hope their new bipartisan bill will help finally put an end to the mountains of unwanted subscription renewal fees plaguing everyday consumers. Mark Takano, D-Calif. and Mark Amodei, R-Nev. reintroduced the Unsubscribe Act this week, which aims to ban companies from employing unnecessarily complex and obtuse cancellation policies.

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      “Subscription traps have become an accepted inconvenience for American consumers. Too many companies rely on deceptive business models that force people to jump through hoops just to cancel,” Representative Amodei said in a joint statement. “We all live busy lives, and remembering to cancel after a free trial shouldn’t be another item on the to-do list.”

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      Surprise subscription renewal fees are difficult enough to track in everyday life, but passing legislation to rein in the costly annual expenditures seems even harder to accomplish. After years of bipartisan lobbying efforts, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) finally announced a “click-to-cancel” rule in 2023. However, courts nullified the FTC ruling on a technicality in July 2025–just days before it was set to go into effect. Since then, the fight has continued to fix a broken system that regularly costs households as much as $200 a year in sneaky, unwanted subscriptions.

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      “During a time when everything is more expensive, corporations are cashing in subscription models that rely on a consumer forgetting to cancel a free trial,” Rep. Takano added. “Corporations haven’t put into place commonsense reforms like ending a subscription just as easily as signing up for one.”

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      If enacted, the new law would require all companies to receive explicit opt-in confirmations from customers before charging them full price after the end of a free or discount-rate trial. The sign-up process must also “clearly and conspicuously” explain subscription terms, and make it as easy to cancel as it was to initially enroll.

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      As The Guardian first reported on January 13,, Rep. Takano has regularly advocated for similar legislative action since 2017. His most recent attempt in 2021 only garnered Democratic support in the House, although a companion Senate bill has had bipartisan backing for years.

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      So far under the Trump administration, the FTC has selectively enforced certain subscription fee-related actions, such as a $7.5 million settlement with the ed-tech company Chegg in September 2025. Comprehensive reforms have yet to materialize, however. The FTC quietly published a consumer group-led click-to-cancel petition in December 2025, and accepted public comments on it until January 2, 2026. 

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      With the Unsubscribe Act, legislators hope to bypass the ongoing regulatory hold-up.“This time…there’s interest across the aisle,” explained Rep. Takano.

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      The post Congress trying to make it easier to unsubscribe (again) appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Mummified cheetahs could help save the critically endangered big cats]]>Cheetahs were spotted on the Arabian Peninsula as recently as 1977.

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      The post Mummified cheetahs could help save the critically endangered big cats appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/environment/mummified-cheetahs-asia/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731015Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyEndangered SpeciesScienceWildlifeSeven naturally-mummified cheetahs are more than just an exciting paleontological find. The specimens discovered in five caves near the city of Arar in northern Saudi Arabia offer a glimpse of hope for reintroducing the species to the Arabian Peninsula. The findings are described in a study published today in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.

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      Cheetahs once lived in much of Africa, and Western and Southern Asia, but their range in Asia has decreased by 98 percent over the past several thousand years. As a whole, cheetahs only occupy nine percent of the territory they used to. On the Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait) cheetahs were found as recently as 1977, when a hunter in Oman killed an adult female cheetah. However, the animals are now considered locally extinct in the region. There are five cheetah subspecies, and the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is believed to have been the only subspecies that lived in present-day Saudi Arabia. The Asiatic cheetah is currently considered critically endangered, with only one small wild population remaining in Iran. Whether or not cheetahs could be reintroduced in the area is debated, largely due to continued habitat destruction.

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      During digs in five caves in 2022 and 2023, field biologist Ahmed Boug from Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Wildlife and his team uncovered skeletal remains of 54 other cats and seven naturally-mummified cheetahs. In desert regions, natural mummification is common due to the dry conditions where fungi and bacteria can’t thrive on a decomposing corpse. Deserts also have the right mineral content in the sand for preservation.

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      The oldest of the cat skeletal remains date back about 4,000 years ago. The mummified cheetah remains were much younger—ranging from only 130 to 1,870 years ago. 

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      They also extracted complete genome sequences from three of the seven mummified cheetahs. According to the team, this is the first time that this kind of genetic material extraction has been done on naturally-mummified big cats. While the most recent specimen is genetically closest to the Asiatic cheetah, the two older specimens are more similar to the Northwest African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki). This critically endangered species is found in the Sahara and several countries in northwestern Africa.

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      a mummified cheetah laying in a cave
      One of the mummified cheetahs as it was found in situ in a cave in northern Saudi Arabia. Image: National Center for Wildlife – Saudi Arabia
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      The authors say that their results indicate that cheetah subspecies could support the re-establishment of cheetahs in Saudi Arabia. An increased available genetic pool from other subspecies would make rewilding efforts more feasible, as subspecies can generally interbreed and create fertile offspring that further the population. The team also suggests that their method shows that ancient DNA records from similar specimens can inform future reintroduction plans for other endangered species.

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      The post Mummified cheetahs could help save the critically endangered big cats appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Amazon has just about every Anker docking station, power bank, and portable power station on sale right now]]>Whether you're looking for portable power to keep your devices going or a powerful hub to help organize your desk, Amazon has the Anker version on sale now.

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      The post Amazon has just about every Anker docking station, power bank, and portable power station on sale right now appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/anker-charger-hub-portable-power-station-deals-january/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730990Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:43:27 -0500GearI’ve been doing my work at a local coffee shop lately, which has helped me kick some of the winter blues by getting me out of the house. It’s a great spot, but it lacks outlets, which means I’ve been relying heavily on portable chargers and other backup devices. The Anker Prime Pro power bank has been a go-to for me, but there are currently a ton of other Anker products on sale at Amazon right now, so stock up and never run out of juice again. You can even score huge deals on Solix portable power stations and solar generators.

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      Editor’s picks

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      Anker Prime Docking Station (14-Port, 160W Max, Dual 4K) $169.99 (37% off)

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      - Anker Prime Docking Station - -
      - - Finally get all your desk cords under control with this burly docking station. - -

      Anker

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      If your laptop is doing its best impression of a desktop every day, this is the kind of dock that makes the whole setup feel intentional. You get a ton of ports in one box, dual 4K monitor support, and up to 160W of power delivery so you can park your laptop, plug in, and stop juggling dongles.

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      Anker Prime MagSafe Charger (3-in-1 Charging Station, Qi2 25W) $160.99 (30% off)

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      - -
      - Anker Prime MagSafe Charger with devices charging - -
      - - Power up an iPhone, AirPods, and an Apple Watch all at once. - -

      Anker

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      This is the move for people who are fully integrated into the Apple ecosystem. It’s a 3-in-1 stand that does Qi2 wireless charging (up to 25W) plus spots for your earbuds and watch. It’s the sort of thing that makes nightly charging feel less like a scavenger hunt.

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      Anker SOLIX F2000 Portable Power Station (Powerhouse 767) $899.00 (55% off)

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      - Anker Solix F2000 portable power station - -
      - - The built-in handle and wheels make it easy to lug just about anywhere. - -

      Anker

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      For outages, tailgates, or job sites, a big power station is basically a silent generator you can lug anywhere. The SOLIX F2000 has a huge 2,048Wh-class battery and enough output to run appliances and tools then recharge your smaller gadgets on top. This is one of the steepest discounts in the list, so it’s worth a look if you’ve been waiting for a real price drop.

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      Wall chargers and travel adapters

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      Power strips and desktop charging stations

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      Power banks

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      USB-C hubs and docking stations

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      Qi2 wireless chargers and MagSafe-style stations

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      Car charging

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      Portable power stations and off-grid gear

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      The post Amazon has just about every Anker docking station, power bank, and portable power station on sale right now appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) review: Plenty of power for laptops and more]]>At just over a pound, this burly power bank can keep up with high-end laptops and charger just about everything else in your bag with juice left to spare.

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      The post Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) review: Plenty of power for laptops and more appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/gear/review-anker-prime-power-bank-20k-200w-laptop-charger/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730936Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:25:11 -0500GearComputersPeripheralsA typical power bank is meant to resurrect a dead smartphone or extend tablet usage through a long flight. But laptops fall into an entirely different category when it comes to backup power. The same goes for other power-hungry devices like drones and even high-end cameras. I’ve been testing the Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) for several weeks with a number of different devices. In that time, I’ve found it to be powerful, simple to use, and full of welcome features that make it enjoyable to use. It’s not perfect, but if you want one battery pack that can keep up with modern USB-C gear—and you’re willing to carry it—this is a great option.

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      - -

      Review: Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W)

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      - -
      - Anker Prime Power Bank on a table in a coffee shop with a laptop and a tablet - -
      - - The coffee shop is where this powerful backup battery shines. - -

      Stan Horaczek

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      - Pros

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      • Real laptop output: Up to 140W on a single USB-C port, with 220W total available across ports.
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      • Fast to refill: 100W input means it can recharge in under an hour with the right charger and cable.
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      • Actually useful smarts: The on-device display gives real-time wattage and time estimates; the app is there if you want deeper tweaks.
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      - Cons

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      • Price: It’s an investment, especially if you add accessories like the charging base.
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      • Weight: It’s “pocketable” on paper, but at over a pound you’ll feel it.
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      • Capacity reality check: This is a 20K-class pack (about 72Wh), not a full replacement for a laptop battery.
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      Design and Build

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      The Anker Prime 20K is roughly the size of one of those skinny Diet Coke cans, but it’s a squared-off soda can with real heft. It measures 1.73 × 1.99 × 5.79 inches and weighs 1.12 lbs (510 g), which makes it easy to stash in a backpack or camera bag—and a little silly to carry in a jacket pocket unless you’re committed.

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      Build quality is a standout. It’s a dense block of hardware rather than a hollow plastic shell, which matters when you’re throwing it into bags, bouncing between locations, or generally living the clumsy reality of travel.

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      Anker’s display is also genuinely helpful. Instead of the old system of four mystery LEDs, you get clear readouts for charge level, real-time wattage in/out, and time-to-empty or time-to-full estimates. When you’re trying to decide whether you have enough juice for a flight, a shoot, or a long coffee shop session, that kind of clarity is the difference between guessing and knowing. The shiny surface on the front of the device does pick up smudges and fingerprints easily, but that doesn’t matter much to me.

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      Port layout is straightforward and practical: two USB-C ports and one USB-A across the top. In day-to-day use, I found it easier to lay it flat with the screen facing up so it’s less likely to tip if a stiff cable gets bumped.

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      How I tested Anker’s Prime Power Bank

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      In the several weeks I spent with this device, I used it to fuel my 14-inch MacBook Pro with an M3 Max chip inside. I also used it to charge an iPhone 17 Pro Max, a DJI drone, a Canon R5 Mark II camera, and other devices. In each case, I was able to hit maximum charging speeds with each device and even keep up with the MacBook Pro output during high-intensity tasks like exporting files from Adobe Lightroom.

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      The “System” Approach

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      You can absolutely buy the battery by itself and be happy. The main story here is that it refills fast enough (up to 100W input) that it’s easy to keep topped off between sessions—plug it in while you eat lunch, and you’ll get a meaningful chunk of capacity back.

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      If you want a cleaner workflow that’s always ready, Anker also sells a separate $99 charging base that uses pogo pins and charges the bank at the same 100W rate. It’s not required, but if this power bank is part of your daily desk kit, docking it like a gadget from the future is undeniably convenient.

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      Performance

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      The “220W” in the name is the combined ceiling across ports. In practical terms, it means you can run a laptop at serious speed and still charge other devices without everything collapsing into “slow charge” mode.

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      • Single port: One USB-C port can deliver up to 140W (PD 3.1), which is enough to charge a MacBook Pro at full speed.
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      • Multi-device: With 220W total available, you can keep a laptop happy while also topping off a phone, tablet, camera, or accessory—without feeling like you have to “schedule” charging.
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      Thermals are solid, too. High-wattage power banks often get uncomfortably warm when they’re actually delivering big power for long stretches. This one stayed surprisingly composed during sustained use, which inspires more confidence than raw spec-sheet bragging ever could. It felt noticeably warm to the touch when it was charging up its own internal batteries, but it never got hot.

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      The companion app is a nice touch, but I didn’t find myself using it all that often during normal use. The built-in screen typically told me what I needed to know.

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      At this price point, I would have liked an integrated cable and possibly wireless charging as it requires a separate cable to input and output power. That’s not super common with models in this class, so it’s not a point against this model, but both features would have been welcome.

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      Comparison: Anker Prime 20K vs. The Competition

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      The Anker Prime 20K sits in a sweet spot: smaller and lighter than the max-capacity carry-on limit bricks, but far more capable than the average travel power bank.

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      FeatureAnker Prime 20K (220W)EcoFlow RAPID Pro (27,650mAh)Shargeek Storm 2Anker 737 (24K, 140W)
      Capacity20,100mAh (~72Wh)27,650mAh (99.54Wh)25,600mAh (93.5Wh)24,000mAh
      Max Output220W total (140W single USB-C)300W total (up to 140W single)100W (single-port fast charge class)140W max total
      Max Input100W320W (with matching station)100W in/out140W two-way charging class
      Ports2× USB-C, 1× USB-A4 total (incl. built-in retractable USB-C cable)USB-C + USB-A + DC + more2× USB-C, 1× USB-A
      Weight1.12 lb (510g)699.4g591.3g630g
      Unique FeatureOptional pogo-pin charging base + strong on-device displayBuilt-in retractable cable + modular accessories“Gadget-core” transparent design + DC outputMore affordable entry to 140W-class charging
      -
      - - -

      The Specs

      - - -
      -
      CategorySpecification
      ModelAnker Prime Power Bank (20K, 220W)
      Capacity20,100mAh (~72Wh) Carry-on compliant under 100Wh
      Ports2× USB-C, 1× USB-A
      Single USB-C MaxUp to 140W
      Combined Max OutputUp to 220W total
      Recharge SpeedUp to 100W (USB-C) / Up to 100W (charging base)
      ConnectivityBluetooth (Anker app)
      Dimensions1.73 × 1.99 × 5.79 inches
      Weight1.12 lb (510g)
      -
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      Verdict

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      If you’re truly a power user—or you just have a laptop that laughs at most power banks—this Anker Prime makes a compelling case. The headline isn’t just big number wattage. It’s that the wattage shows up in real use: no slow-charger warnings, no weird throttling, and no all-night recharge penalty once you’ve drained it.

      - - - -

      If you only need to charge a phone, this is unnecessary weight and money. But for photographers, frequent travelers, and anyone trying to keep a MacBook and a few other devices alive away from the wall, the Prime 20K feels like the first power bank that actually behaves like it belongs in a modern USB-C workflow.

      -

      The post Anker Prime Power Bank (20K, 200W) review: Plenty of power for laptops and more appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Is turbulence really like Jell-O? Pilots weigh in.]]>Science backs up the goofy analogy.

      -

      The post Is turbulence really like Jell-O? Pilots weigh in. appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/science/turbulence-jell-o-airplanes/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730819Thu, 15 Jan 2026 09:02:00 -0500ScienceAsk Us AnythingAviationTechnologyA young woman pushes a balled-up piece of napkin into a cup of Jell-O, asking the viewer to imagine that it is an airplane, high in the air.

      - - - -

      “That is you flying through the sky,” she tells the camera. “There’s pressure from the bottom, pressure from the top, from the sides, pressure coming from everywhere.”

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      She taps the top of the Jell-O, making the suspended napkin ball quiver.

      - - - -

      “This is what happens when there’s turbulence,” she says. “You feel the plane shaking, but [it] is not just going to fall down.”

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      The video is by Australian TikToker Anna Paul. Just days after she uploaded it in June 2022, it had accumulated more than 15 million views and thousands of comments from people saying it had cured their fear of flying. Paul says she got the tip “from a real pilot.”

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      But how accurate is the analogy? Is turbulence really like Jell-O?

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      @anna..paull

      Fear of flying tip ✈❤

      ♬ original sound – Anna Paul
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      The origins of the Jell-O analogy

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      The Jell-O analogy is the brainchild of former airline captain Tom Bunn, who is now a licensed therapist and founder of the SOAR program, which helps people overcome their fear of flying. Over years of listening to clients express their worries, Bunn realized that explaining the science of flight was often not enough to reassure people that flying was truly safe.

      - - - -

      “Clients would say they look up in the sky and see a plane and it doesn’t look like it should be there,” he says. “It should fall because they don’t see anything holding it up.”

      - - - -

      Because these nervous flyers lacked understanding of the forces holding a plane in the air, they would feel the jolts during turbulence and panic, imagining the plane was about to drop from the sky. To help them overcome this fear, Bunn looked for an analogy that would convince the emotional part of their brains that the plane was not going to fall.

      - - - -

      He found it by asking them to recall the familiar sense of air resistance growing as speed increases.

      - - - -

      “If you walk across the room, air doesn’t slow you down,” he says. However, “if you’re in a car and push forward with your hand out the window, it feels about the same as putting your hand in a swimming pool and pushing against the water.”

      - - - -

      Appealing to this logic, Bunn would ask his clients to imagine the air getting thicker as the plane accelerated down the runway. By the time they were in the air, it was the consistency of Jell-O, supporting them on all sides.

      - - - -

      Bunn acknowledges that the analogy is not completely accurate scientifically. But it is an emotionally resonant way of visualizing the forces that hold a plane up during flight.

      - - - -

      “Technically, it involves Bernoulli’s theorem,” he says. “It has to do with the fact that the bottom of the wing is pretty much flat and the top is curved.”

      - - - -
      The back right female passenger waves her hand out of the open car window. It's sunset and there's out of focus trees in the distance.
      If you’ve ever put your hand out of the window in a car, you’ve felt the same kind of pressure that helps keep planes in the air when they fly. Image: DepositPhotos
      - - - -

      The science that keeps planes flying

      - - - -

      Daniel Bernoulli was an 18th-century Swiss mathematician and physicist who formulated several key concepts in fluid dynamics. The most famous is Bernoulli’s principle, which states that an increase in the speed of a fluid decreases the pressure exerted by the fluid.

      - - - -

      In a river, for example, water speeds up as it passes through narrower sections. The water pressure is lower in these constricted areas, as the acceleration is caused by higher pressure behind the constriction than within it.

      - - - -

      Air behaves much like a fluid. When it encounters an obstacle, it compresses or speeds up as it flows around the object in its path.

      - - - -

      “When the plane runs into the air, the air that goes across the top of the wing has to catch up,” Bunn explains. Because of the curve on the wing’s top, the air “has to take a longer route, so the molecules spread out slightly. So, they don’t push as much on the top of the wing as on the bottom.”

      - - - -

      As Paul says in her TikTok video, there is pressure coming from the air above and below the airplane. But the wing’s design means that the air pressure is greater below it than in the faster-moving air above it, pushing the wing upwards. This is the phenomenon known in aerodynamics as “lift.” 

      - - - -

      “The faster you go, the more powerful the Bernoulli effect,” Bunn explains. This is why, as a plane flies through the air at nearly 600 miles an hour, the pressure under the wings holds it in the sky as securely as a napkin ball in Jell-O.

      - - - -

      Turbulence happens when blocks of air rub past each other at different temperatures, pressures or speeds. It can have many different causes, from thunderstorms to the centrifugal force of the earth’s rotation, which pushes bands of air outwards. Its strength ranges from mild, causing little more discomfort than a slight trembling, to severe, in which passengers or flight crew can be thrown around the cabin and risk injury if not wearing seatbelts.

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      - Related 'Ask Us Anything' Stories

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      How pilots avoid thunderstorms—and what happens when they can’t

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      How do airplane toilets work?

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      What do TSA bag scanners actually see?

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      Why do our ears pop on a plane? An audiologist explains.

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      Why do we put seatbacks up for landing? An aviation expert explains.

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      Turbulence is less scary than it feels

      - - - -

      But while strong turbulence can feel alarming, Patrick Smith, a commercial pilot and writer of the Ask the Pilot blog, says that “people tend to have a very exaggerated sense of what the airplane is actually doing.”

      - - - -

      “Airplanes have what we call positive stability,” he says. “When they’re disturbed from their position in space, by their nature they want to return to where they were.”

      - - - -

      During turbulence, every jolt down is matched by an equivalent jolt up, holding the plane steady on its course—as if it were suspended in Jell-O.

      - - - -

      “There has never been a plane crash from turbulence,” Paul says in her video. Is this true?

      - - - -

      Bunn recalls one incident in the 1960s when a flight departing Japan’s Tokyo airport encountered severe turbulence off the side of Mount Fuji, causing it to suffer structural damage and crash into a forest. But, he emphasizes, such an incident would never happen today. For one, commercial jets would never fly so close to a mountain, knowing that these can disrupt air flows and cause strong forms of turbulence close to solid ground, where planes are naturally most vulnerable.

      - - - -

      For another, improvements in airplane technology mean that planes are now much better constructed to withstand even the strongest forms of turbulence.

      - - - -

      During testing of modern airliners, “you can almost bend the wing double [in half] and it won’t break,” Bunn says. In real situations, “you never see even a tenth that much wing flex.”

      - - - -

      So, is turbulence really like Jell-O? Not exactly. But if you’re a nervous flyer, perhaps the image can help reassure you that the only real dangers from turbulence can be solved by simply wearing a seatbelt.

      - - - -

      As Paul says: “You can just chill there. You’re just wriggling in jelly.”

      - - - -

      In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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      The post Is turbulence really like Jell-O? Pilots weigh in. appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Wikipedia’s 25 most popular entries of all time]]>A lot of people wanted to know who's dead.

      -

      The post Wikipedia’s 25 most popular entries of all time appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/technology/most-popular-wikipedia-entries/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730953Thu, 15 Jan 2026 03:30:00 -0500TechnologyInternetIt’s hard to imagine the internet without Wikipedia. But in the immediate years following its debut in 2001, many critics scoffed at the idea that a free, volunteer-run online encyclopedia could ever be considered a reputable source of information. If you were in high school or college during the early 2000s, you probably remember a teacher or two forbidding students from even using Wikipedia for their research projects.

      - - - -

      January 15th marks the 25th anniversary of Wikipedia’s premiere, and the digital landscape around it is nearly unrecognizable. After two-and-a-half decades, the free encyclopedia encompasses over 7.1 million entries in English alone, most still written, edited, fact-checked, and maintained by tens of thousands of volunteers around the world. There are still plenty of issues with a website that runs under those parameters, but more often than not, a Wiki entry can serve as a starting point towards finding other helpful sources.

      - - - -

      But what are most Wikipedia visitors interested in learning about? The website’s parent organization, the Wikimedia Foundation, provided Popular Science with a list of the top 25 most searched Wikipedia subjects of all time. While the Wikimedia Foundation says its data only goes back to 2008, it’s safe to say these remain the highest trafficked topics across the millions of entries.

      - - -
      -
      SubjectPage Views
      1. List of Deaths by Year647,025,321
      2. United States328,501,200
      3. Donald Trump325,397,973
      4. Elizabeth II253,385,102
      5. India210,779,909
      6. Cristiano Renaldo209,262,818
      7. Barack Obama200,619,072
      8. Elon Musk197,557,694
      9. World War II196,185,039
      10. United Kingdom180,986,829
      11. Lionel Messi169,027,752
      12. Michael Jackson168,519,508
      13. Game of Thrones166,648,136
      14. Adolf Hitler163,955,099
      15. Eminem159,866,098
      16. Taylor Swift157,243,638
      17. World War I156,010,435
      18. The Beatles153,857,741
      19. Dwayne Johnson141,840,884
      20. List of presidents of the United States138,880,465
      21. Canada137,871,236
      22. Lady Gaga137,724,118
      23. Academy Awards137,543,219
      24. Freddie Mercury134,515,769
      25. List of highest-grossing films133,992,783
      -
      - - -

      As it turns out, a lot of people wonder who died recently. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the list is mostly a mix of politics, pop culture, sports, and history—but it’s still more than enough to get you up to speed for your next trivia night. 

      - - - -

      As AI slop continues to flood search engines and generative media blurs the lines between reality and fiction, human-centric endeavors like Wikipedia are becoming increasingly critical for staying informed on everything from biomedical research and historical events, to…the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas.

      - - - -

      Wikipedia still faces its fair share of critics, some with very valid issues. Instead of a lack of sources, certain detractors are now claiming (without much evidence) that the encyclopedia is filled with supposed political biases. But as Wikipedia has shown so far, it’s probably up to the task of proving the naysayers wrong. There’s even a well-sourced entry about it.

      -

      The post Wikipedia’s 25 most popular entries of all time appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood]]>Deforestation might lead to more deadly mosquito bites.

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      The post Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/environment/mosquitoes-human-blood-deforestation/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730968Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyClimate ChangeDiseasesHealthInsectsScienceIf you’re someone who mosquitoes just adore, we feel your pain. Unfortunately, new data indicates the number of mosquito species that feed on humans is increasing—and it’s likely to get worse.

      - - - -

      Dr. Sérgio Lisboa Machado, a microbiologist from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, is the co-author of a study published today in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution on a potential link between deforestation and mosquitoes’ increasing preference for human blood. 

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      Whose blood is it anyway?

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      In the study, Machado and his colleague Dr. Jeronimo Alencar examined the feeding habits of several mosquito species in the Atlantic Forest, a moist broadleaf forest that stretches along the eastern coast of South America.

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      According to Machado, the project began as an attempt to figure out which local animals these mosquitoes were feeding on. 

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      “When we started our research, our main goal was to find the preferred blood source that some species of female mosquitoes use for reproduction,” Machado tells Popular Science

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      The process of identifying the blood in the creatures’ stomachs was time-consuming. The first step was identifying which of the region’s roughly 40 mosquito species were biting. This involved careful scrutiny of the creatures with a stereoscope. 

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      “The identification itself is not complicated,” Machado says, “but there is a shortage of entomologists to perform it.”

      - - - -

      This fact, along with the need to transport the mosquitoes back to Rio de Janeiro for analysis, meant by the time the samples were analyzed, the DNA and RNA inside of them had started to break down. Even with these difficulties, the analysis provided Machado with a pretty good idea of which mammal species the mosquitoes in question preferred for dinner. In several cases, this blood was human.

      - - - -

       “This was something we didn’t expect,” Machado says. “Since we were in a forest reserve, we expected to find DNA from vertebrates in the local fauna.”

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      - Related Mosquito Stories

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      Scientists engineer mosquito STD to combat malaria

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      Mosquitoes can barely see–but a male’s vision perks up when they hear a female

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      Mosquitos seem to like beer drinkers who recently had sex

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      What would a world without mosquitoes look like?

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      Shifting tastes

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      So why so much human blood? The researchers hypothesize that the Atlantic Forest’s changing environment has led these species to develop a taste for human blood. 

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      “We believe it’s a matter of opportunity given the lack of a preferred food source,” Machado says. “It seems that if mosquitoes can’t find their preferred blood source, they seek out whatever is available.”

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      As biodiversity declines and animal species go extinct, more mosquito food sources are disappearing. However, unlike many of the animals on which they feed, mosquitoes are adaptable creatures. There’s almost always a ready-made alternative, including humans. 

      - - - -

      While this might be good news for the mosquitoes, it risks being terrible news for humans. As an increasing number of mosquito species develop a taste for humans, so too does the risk that species which have not been particularly problematic in the past could act as new vectors for blood-borne diseases.

      - - - -

      Once mosquitoes acquire a new food source, they tend to develop a preference for that particular blood—and humans are one species whose availability is most definitely not declining. Today, the Atlantic Forest occupies barely a quarter third of its former area, and it’s not alone. With every passing year, more wilderness is lost to human incursion.

      - - - -

      The answer seems to be first arresting, and then reversing, this process of deforestation and habitat destruction. But it’s not altogether clear that the damage is so easily reversible. Humans certainly aren’t going anywhere, so who’s to say that the mosquitoes won’t just keep feeding merrily on us regardless?

      - - - -

      Machado expresses cautious optimism on how we can address how deforestation affects what mosquitoes eat.  

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      “We believe this is a reversible process, but this will require restoring the biome while simultaneously continuing our study. We are still seeking more evidence that [these] mosquitoes have a preferred food source. For now, we are observing that there is a possibility that they are adapting to different sources and do not [prefer] human blood.”

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      Jumping species

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    • Craftsman 2000 Series 28-in wall-mounted steel garage cabinet (red) $129.00 (was $179.00, 28% off)
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      Nevertheless, humanity continues to play with fire as it pushes further and further into previously unspoilt ecosystems. A landmark 2001 study found that new diseases are twice as likely to be zoonotic—transmissible between animals and humans—than existing ones. The danger posed by such diseases was exemplified by COVID-19, which jumped from bats to humans to catastrophic effect.

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      While disastrous scenarios surrounding a novel pathogen spread by mosquitoes are hypothetical, there are also very real dangers linked to deforestation. For instance, the malaria parasite in the Amazon is largely spread by the Anopheles darlingi mosquito. It was thought to have been eradicated in the 1960s, but re-emerged in the 1990s, and is now common. Another study found that cleared forest patches had created a perfect breeding environment for the insect, helping its return.

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      Ultimately, Machado stresses that it’s important to control the emergence of new disease vectors and thus mitigate further risks. 

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      “The re-establishment of ecosystems will certainly contribute to this and should minimize the climate changes we are experiencing,” he says. “We need to learn that our actions today, however small, will always have global repercussions in the future.”

      -

      The post Without forests, mosquitoes turn to human blood appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      en-US      <![CDATA[Australian police smash e-bikes in crackdown on unruly teens]]>Police say at least 25 kids used e-bikes and scooters to evade arrest and intimidate drivers.

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      The post Australian police smash e-bikes in crackdown on unruly teens appeared first on Popular Science.

      -]]>      https://www.popsci.com/technology/police-smash-ebikes-australia/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730959Wed, 14 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0500TechnologyElectric VehiclesVehiclesAustralian police are cracking down on groups of unruly teenagers who they say are using deceptively speedy e-bikes and scooters to engage in “antisocial riding behavior.” Their solution: confiscate the popular micromobility devices and crush them.

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      The roundup, dubbed Operation Moorhead, began last week in the suburbs of Perth in southwestern Australia. Police reportedly received complaints about menacing youths riding recklessly, evading officers, and “intimidating members of the public.” 

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      In some cases, the teens hurled objects at other vehicles and posted videos of their pranks on social media. One of those clips reportedly shows a 12-year-old zipping by on an e-bike capable of reaching speeds approaching 50 miles per hour. The ensuing crackdown led to the arrests of 25 youths between the ages of 11 and 18 and the seizure of 36 e-rideables. Western Australia (WA) police are now reportedly planning to ramp up e-bike seizures across the state.

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      A video posted on Facebook by Western Australian police shows several seized e-bikes and electric scooters being grabbed by an excavator’s claw and crushed flat. The claw then releases the broken bikes and pounds them down once more for good measure. What remains of the mangled metal is then chucked into a large pile of scrap.

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      “WA police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour that targets our community,” Joondalup police Acting Inspector Scott Gillis said during the press release. “It’s totally unacceptable.”

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      E-bikes, electric scooters, and other micromobility devices have surged in popularity as a convenient, easy way to navigate cities that lack reliable public transportation. But their relatively high maximum speeds—compared with traditional bicycles—have also led to a major uptick in accidents and sparked backlash from critics who argue they should be treated and regulated more like motorcycles.

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      Micromobility-related injuries are also on the rise, and not just Down Under.  A 2024 U.S. A Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) survey found injuries, both for riders and pedestrians, involving the devices increased nearly 21 percent between 2021 and 2022. A separate study published in the American Journal of Public Health estimates e-bike and scooter injuries increased by a staggering 293 percent and 88 percent  respectively between 2019 and 2022. That data notably doesn’t specify how many of the injuries involved rampaging teens. 

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    a large macheine crushes an e-scooter
    Injuries both for riders and pedestrians, involving the devices increased nearly 21 percent between 2001 and 2002. Image: Western Australia Police. 
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    Big-shop basics: saws, sanders, vacs, and more

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    Cops are cracking down on e-bikes 

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    Over three months, the Deer Lab team searched for white-tailed deer markings in Whitehall Forest near Athens, Georgia, during the day. By night, they investigated them with UV lights. They analyzed 109 antler rubs on trees and 37 urine-marked acres across 800 acres of forest. 

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    Tankless water heaters

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    a marking on a piece of wood made my a deer
    The glowing deer rubs and scrapes look unassuming during the day. Image: Daniel DeRose-Broeckert.
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    The post Lowe’s is blowing out this Craftsman cordless string trimmer with battery and charger for just $29 while they last appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Forgotten, priceless medieval book found in school library]]>The hermit and mystic Richard Rolles was basically a bestselling author in the Middle Ages.

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    The post Forgotten, priceless medieval book found in school library appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/medieval-book-found-school-library/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731723Fri, 23 Jan 2026 11:52:03 -0500ScienceArchaeologyFor generations, a misidentified medieval manuscript was hidden in a 474-year-old English boarding school’s library. After a careful new analysis, a medieval literature researcher can confirm the manuscript is actually the oldest and only known edition of Richard Rolle’s The Emending of Life (Emendatio vitae) written in its original Latin.

    -

    “In the process of scraping the bark off a tree with their antlers, they are depositing glandular secretions. Likewise, when they make a scrape, a different gland is also between their toes,” added study co-author and ecologist Gino D’Angelo. “Deer have lots of ways to interact with the environment, and they are leaving those signatures out there to smell and glow.”

    +

    Who is Richard Rolle?

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    a marking made by a deer on wood showing up under UV light
    The researchers believe the glow may help deer to leave messages for potential mates. Image: Daniel DeRose-Broeckert.
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    Most people today may not be familiar with Richard Rolle, but he was almost certainly the Late Medieval Era’s most widely read author. One of a handful of writers known as the Middle English Mystics, Rolle was born sometime around 1300 CE in Yorkshire, England, and spent the majority of his adult life as a hermit until his death in 1349, possibly due to the Black Death. 

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    Earlier studies suggest that other mammals also glow under UV light, but the reasons why have been vague. Deer use the same scrapes as a way to communicate through scent, so the team on this study believes that the glow offers a visual way for deer to communicate

    +

    To give a sense of Rolle’s popularity: over 650 surviving manuscripts contain his writings today. Compare that to around 144 similar archival pieces from Chaucer. His last work in English, The Form of Living, was his most popular at the time, but The Emending of Life would eventually become far more influential. Written in Latin, it was his most circulated book and detailed 12 stages of spiritual life. Think of it as a self-help book for the medieval reader.

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    “The scrapes become a communication hub where other deer will visit it after it’s created and contribute to it. It’s like a phone booth out in the city when trying to make nighttime plans at a meeting point,” D’Angelo said.

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    “Medieval people struggled with distractions as we do today. They were trying to still their wandering minds,” Timothy Glover, a historian at the University of Bergen in Norway said in a recent profile. “Rolle offered practical strategies to help, and some people treated him like a saint for it.”

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    During deer mating season from mid-October through December, marking is particularly important.

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    The opening page of a chapter on prayer in Richard Rolle's Emendatio vitae. Credit: University of Cambridge +
    The opening page of a chapter on prayer in Richard Rolle’s Emendatio vitae. Credit: University of Cambridge
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    “We’ve known that there’s an olfactory component, but now we know the deer are also getting stimulated in two senses, both olfactory and visually,” said DeRose-Broeckert. “Both males and females utilize scrapes to advertise their presence in the environment and their breeding status and fitness level.”

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    The post Deer markings actually glow appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Iron Age teeth reveal the hidden lives of ancient Italians]]>Their teeth hold tales of childhood nutritional stress.

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    The post Iron Age teeth reveal the hidden lives of ancient Italians appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/iron-age-teeth-italy/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730939Wed, 14 Jan 2026 14:00:00 -0500ScienceArchaeologyArchaeologists often focus on what skeletal remains can tell about how and when ancient peoples died. But an individual’s final moments are far from their complete life story. By analyzing features like their teeth, researchers can better understand not only the person as an adult, but how they developed over the course of their life.

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    The misidentification of ‘MS 25’

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    In Italy, a team at Rome’s Sapienza University has conducted the first dental study of its kind for an Iron Age community 35 miles south of present-day Naples. After analyzing the microscopic makeup of teeth from ancient Italians, it appears that the people living near Pontecagnano enjoyed a diverse diet that reflected a time of increased interactions with nearby Mediterranean societies. Their findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal PLOS One.

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    Knowing there was likely more to learn about “Richard the hermit” (as he was known), Glover traveled to Shropshire, England, to visit the medieval archives at Shrewsbury School, a private educational institution founded in 1552.

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    Archaeological records at Pontecagnano span multiple cultures and date as far back as the Copper Age (3500–2300 BCE). By the 7th century, the region was home to the Etruscans, who occupied the area until the Roman Empire’s arrival in the late 4th century. The Etruscans often interred their deceased in necropolises, which is where the Sapienza University team recovered 30 teeth from 10 individuals who died during the 7th and 6th centuries.

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    “As a hermit, Rolle probably didn’t have a regular access to an institutional library and he rarely tells us what he’s been reading. To try to find out, I went looking for early copies of his work,” he explained.

    -

    “The teeth of Pontecagnano’s Iron Age inhabitants opened a unique window onto their lives: we could follow childhood growth and health with remarkable precision,” study co-author and archaeologist Roberto Germano said in a statement.

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    After later reviewing his photographs of a manuscript catalogued as “MS 25,” Glover noticed a passage at the end explaining “six different kinds of dreams.”

    -

    They analyzed the growth patterns displayed in dental tissues, and then compared the resultant data between canines and molars to contextualize the first six years of each person’s life. This revealed minor stress events linked to dietary shifts, often between the ages of one and four. According to researchers, the changing sources of nutrition likely made the young children susceptible to diseases, which left lingering evidence in their teeth.

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    “I’d seen something similar in one of Rolle’s English texts, The Form of Living, so I compared them and realised they were identical. That was my Eureka moment,” he said.

    -

    However, their diets were incredibly diversified by the time of adulthood. Dental plaque examinations showed remnants from an array of foods, including legumes and cereals as well as “abundant carbohydrates and fermented foods.” These chemical traces are supported by the existing historical understanding of the era, which featured increased trade with other societies around the Mediterranean.

    +

    Scholars first formally described MS 25 during the 1920s, but the work had actually resided in Shrewsbury since its donation to the library in 1607. In 2009, a study of all known remaining copies of The Emending of Life concluded MS 25’s extra passages were added later by an unknown person. According to Glover, the forensic reanalysis detailed in his recent work published in the journal Mediaeval Studies proves otherwise.

    -

    The team believes that their approach represents a proof-of-concept for using dental analysis to offer personalized insights into the individual lives of ancient peoples. While not intended as findings representative of the larger Etruscan region, the analysis illustrates a more intimate look at Iron Age existence.

    +

    Rolle definitely did not handwrite this edition of The Emending of Life himself. Instead, it was produced the same way as almost every other book of the era—by painstakingly copying the text onto new parchment. However, unlike every other remaining version, MS 25 features Rolle’s full, unaltered original draft. But how could experts like Glover be so sure?

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    “The study…makes it possible to go beyond the narrow focus on the period close to their death, and brings to the forefront the life of each of them during their early years,” explained study co-author Alessia Nava.

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    The post Iron Age teeth reveal the hidden lives of ancient Italians appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[100 mystery sounds under review for signs of extraterrestrial life]]>Over 11 years, citizen scientists collected billions of data signals for the SETI@home project.

    -

    The post 100 mystery sounds under review for signs of extraterrestrial life appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/mystery-seti-sounds-extraterrestrial-life/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730930Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:56:00 -0500ScienceDeep SpaceInternetSpaceTechnologyAfter reviewing almost 30 years of signals, University of California Berkeley researchers have identified 100 mysterious, deep-space radio blips they want to review for signs of extraterrestrial life. And they couldn’t have done it without 11 years of volunteer work from millions of PC owners around the world.

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    Code word: melliphono

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    What is SETI@home?

    +

    According to the historian, the “smoking gun” is a single word: melliphono. Or, more accurately, a single, completely made-up word. It’s also one that appeared in multiple of Rolle’s works and nowhere else at the time.

    -

    Even with today’s advanced computers, the world’s most complex data problems can’t be solved by a single machine. Instead, it’s far more efficient to break up tasks among many separate computers. For decades, however, the technology to handle even these distributed responsibilities was relegated to well-funded companies and government institutions. But with the rise of personal computers (PCs), UC Berkeley researchers like David Gedye and David Anderson realized that the untapped pool of citizen scientists could be a vital asset. And what bigger data pool was there to draw from than the vastness of interstellar space?

    +

    “Melliphono is a very Rolle word,” said Glover. “He’s all about this idea of spiritual song and experience of angelic heavenly music being the highest experience of God. He had an enormous Latin vocabulary and creatively deployed a huge range of very specific terms for music to explain his ultimate experience of God.”

    -

    In 1999, the computer scientists teamed with astronomers Eric Korpela and Dan Werthimer to launch SETI@home. The project relied on individuals downloading a client program to their home PC designed to parse data passively collected by a 984-foot-wide radio telescope at the now-shuttered Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Although Arecibo’s line of sight only encompassed about a third of the entire sky, that still included most stars in the Milky Way galaxy.

    +

    While more people will likely soon race to examine the major historical discovery, for now the unique copy has only been reread by a single individual.

    -

    “We [were], without doubt, the most sensitive narrow-band search of large portions of the sky, so we had the best chance of finding something,” Korpela said in a recent UC Berkeley profile.

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    “I’m the only person since the Middle Ages to have read this knowing that it’s Rolle’s original,” said Glover. “It’s such an important manuscript and it offers a direct connection with an author who deserves far greater recognition.”

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    The post Forgotten, priceless medieval book found in school library appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[It’s not in your head. Fear drives decision making.]]>Dreading negative outcomes is six times more powerful than anticipating the positive ones.

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    The post It’s not in your head. Fear drives decision making. appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/health/decision-making-fear/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731699Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:52:00 -0500HealthPsychologyScienceWe’re all guilty of putting off that big decision because our brains can’t stop focusing on potential negative outcomes. Dread shapes our decision making and new research published in the journal Cognitive Science explores why spinning those negative scenarios affects us more than the possible positive outcomes. 

    -

    Before launching SETI@home, project organizers estimated they’d receive around 50,000 volunteers. In only a few days, they surpassed 200,000 participants from over 100 countries. By the program’s one-year anniversary, the SETI@home client had been downloaded onto over 2 million PCs.

    +

    The team from the University of Bath in England and the University of Waterloo in Canada analyzed data from the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). This long-scale survey of roughly 10,000 households in the United Kingdom measures several economic, social, and psychological variables. The team looked at roughly 14,000 individuals between 1991 and 2024, tracking emotional responses to real-world economic choices including investing, changing jobs, or making health decisions.

    -
    Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico
    SETI@home relied on the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico, which collapsed in 2020. Credit: Deposit Photos
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    They found that this emotional imbalance of focusing more on the potential bad outcomes than the good ones plays a central role in shaping economic behavior. Survey participants who experience stronger negative than positive anticipatory emotions are significantly more likely to avoid risk. They found that the emotional impact of dread is more than six times stronger than the potential happiness they would feel from anticipating equivalent gains. Dread also makes people less likely to wait for delayed positive outcomes like a return on investment, even when that patience may lead to greater rewards.

    -

    Looking for ET

    +

    “Put simply, the emotional pain from anticipating a £10 (about $13) loss is far stronger than savoring the thought of a £10 gain,” Chris Dawson, a study co-author at the University of Bath who researches economics and decision making, said in a statement. “This imbalance shapes how much risk people are willing to take and how long they are prepared to wait, potentially influencing decisions across everyday life, from money and careers to health and wellbeing.”

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    +
    + +

    + Related Stories

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    + +
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    The 100 life decisions people dread most, according to psychologists

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    When faced with tough choices, your brain secretly tips the scales

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    Why people insist they’re correct without all the facts

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    How does your brain know something is real?

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    +
    -

    The data itself wasn’t collected by simply aiming Arecibo at a section of space and listening for ET whisperings. Earth is constantly moving around the sun, and the same likely goes for any source of alien life. This required Korpela and colleagues to design a protocol to mathematically reconfigure frequency clips to account for any Doppler drifts.

    +

    Additionally, the study confirms that when outcomes are experienced, the losses loom larger than gains. The emotional sting of a loss was roughly twice as strong as that of an equivalent gain. According to the team, this research advances a new psychological theory that links risk and time preferences. This could help explain why those who are more risk-averse also tend to be more impatient.

    -

    “We actually had to look at a whole range of possible drift rates—tens of thousands—just to make sure that we got all possibilities. That multiplies the amount of computing power we need by 10,000,” said Anderson. “The fact that we had a million home computers available to us let us do that. No other radio SETI project has been able to do that.”

    +

    “We see that risk avoidance and impatience are psychologically connected,” added study co-author and University of Waterloo psychologist Dr. Sam Johnson. “People try to avoid choices with possible negative outcomes and also prefer outcomes to be resolved sooner, in order to minimise the emotional burden they experience – the dread of anticipating bad news.”

    -

    By the time SETI@home officially ended in 2020, the team was staring down around 12 billion signals of interest. Combing through those files ultimately required enlisting the help of a supercomputer—in this case an installation at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics. From there, researchers could winnow down their suspects to a couple million signals, then rank them by likelihood of ET origin after accounting for radio frequency interferences from sources like orbital satellites, TV broadcasts, and even kitchen microwaves.

    +

    The team also found a lot of variation between individuals. Some experience these anticipatory emotions before making a decision far more vividly than others, helping to explain why attitudes about both risk and patience differ so widely. Notably, anticipatory dread’s effects remained significant even after personality traits, mental health, income, and education were accounted for.

    -

    Korpela and Werthimer eventually settled on about 100 final contenders worth additional examinations. Since July 2025, they have used China’s Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) to collect new data from these sections of sky. The approach was detailed in two studies published last year in The Astronomical Journal, and showcases both the project’s highlights and places where future endeavors can improve on their work.

    +

    The authors believe that the findings have implications for understanding financial decision making, long-term planning, health choices, and other real-world behaviors. 

    -

    “Some of our conclusions are that the project didn’t completely work the way we thought it was going to. And we have a long list of things that we would have done differently and that future sky survey projects should do differently,” explained Anderson. “[But] if we don’t find ET, what we can say is that we established a new sensitivity level. If there were a signal above a certain power, we would have found it.”

    +

    “The study helps to explain why people often postpone or avoid choices that are objectively beneficial in the long run,” said Dawson. “For example, individuals may delay or avoid medical screening if results take a long time to arrive. Even when screening reduces health risks, the dread of waiting for potentially bad news can discourage testing. Similarly, long waits in areas such as investment decisions can deter engagement simply by prolonging the emotional burden of uncertainty.”

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    The post It’s not in your head. Fear drives decision making. appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Eating less ultraprocessed food supports healthier aging, new research shows]]>Ultraprocessed food makes up about half the calories of a typical American diet.

    +

    The post Eating less ultraprocessed food supports healthier aging, new research shows appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/health/eating-less-ultraprocessed-food-supports-healthier-aging-new-research-shows/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731596Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:16:16 -0500HealthNutritionThis article was originally featured on The Conversation.

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    The power of crowdsourcing

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    Older adults can dramatically reduce the amount of ultraprocessed foods they eat while keeping a familiar, balanced diet – and this shift leads to improvements across several key markers related to how the body regulates appetite and metabolism. That’s the main finding of a new study my colleagues and I published in the journal Clinical Nutrition.

    -

    However, Anderson and the others aren’t holding their breath. According to Korpela, Arecibo’s limited field-of-view and a lack of any particularly striking radio blips so far means a sudden ET revelation isn’t likely just yet.

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    Ultraprocessed foods are made using industrial techniques and ingredients that aren’t typically used in home cooking. They often contain additives such as emulsifiers, flavorings, colors and preservatives. Common examples include packaged snacks, ready-to-eat meals and some processed meats. Studies have linked diets high in ultraprocessed foods to poorer health outcomes.

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    “There’s a little disappointment that we didn’t see anything,” he said. “In order to probe farther distances, you need bigger telescopes and longer observing times. It’s always best if you are able to control the telescope for your project. We weren’t able to control what the telescope was doing.”

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    My team and I enrolled Americans ages 65 and older in our study, many of whom were overweight or had metabolic risk factors such as insulin resistance or high cholesterol. Participants followed two diets low in ultraprocessed foods for eight weeks each. One included lean red meat (pork); the other was vegetarian with milk and eggs. For two weeks in between, participants returned to their usual diets.

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    Regardless, SETI@home speaks to the power of both crowdsourcing and citizen science. When combined with all of the PC advancements since 1999, there’s a chance that an heir to the project may finally find that extraordinary, history-altering space signal.

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    A total of 43 people began the dietary intervention, and 36 completed the full study.

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    “I think it still captures people’s imagination to look for extraterrestrial intelligence,” said Korpella. “I think that you could still get significantly more processing power than we used for SETI@home and process more data because of a wider internet bandwidth.”

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    The post 100 mystery sounds under review for signs of extraterrestrial life appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[14,000-year-old woolly rhinoceros DNA extracted from wolf’s stomach]]>The two-horned prehistoric mammal went extinct about 8,700 years ago.

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    The post 14,000-year-old woolly rhinoceros DNA extracted from wolf’s stomach appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/environment/woolly-rhino-wolf-stomach-ice-age/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730914Wed, 14 Jan 2026 10:32:00 -0500EnvironmentAnimalsBiologyEvolutionScienceWildlifeTowards the end of the last ice age, an ancient wolf feasted on a young woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis). When the wolf died, it ended up buried in Siberian permafrost for about 14,000 years until it was uncovered by paleontologists in 2015. Luckily for scientists, some woolly rhinoceros tissue remained inside of the wolf’s stomach. Now, these genetic detectives analyzed the woolly rhino’s genome and found that the species likely went extinct due to rapid population collapse and not a slow decline as Earth’s climate warmed. The findings are detailed in a study published today in the journal Genome Biology and Evolution.

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    In both diets, ultraprocessed foods made up less than 15% of the total calories – a significant reduction from the typical American diet, where more than 50% of total calories comes from ultraprocessed foods. The diets were designed to be realistic for everyday eating, and participants were not instructed to restrict calories, lose weight or change their physical activity.

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    “Sequencing the entire genome of an Ice Age animal found in the stomach of another animal has never been done before,” Camilo Chacón-Duque, a study co-author and paleogenomicist at Stockholm University in Sweden, said in a statement. “Recovering genomes from individuals that lived right before extinction is challenging, but it can provide important clues on what caused the species to disappear, which may also be relevant for the conservation of endangered species today,” he said.

    +

    We prepared, portioned and provided all meals and snacks for the study. Both diets emphasized minimally processed ingredients and aligned with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the U.S. government’s nutrient-based recommendations for healthy eating, while providing similar calories and amounts of key nutrients.

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    an illustration of a woolly rhino. it has two horns and grayish-brown fur
    An illustration of what a woolly rhinoceros would have looked like. Image: ДиБгд via WikimediaCommons CC By 4.0
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    The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, released on Jan. 7, 2026, explicitly recommend eating less ultraprocessed food, but the previous versions of the guidelines did not specifically address food processing. Our feeding study design allowed us, for the first time, to examine the health effects of reducing ultraprocessed foods while keeping nutrient levels consistent with recommended targets.

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    Frozen in time

    +

    We compared how participants fared while eating their habitual diets with how they responded to the two diets that were low in ultraprocessed foods. During the periods when participants ate fewer ultraprocessed foods, they naturally consumed fewer calories and lost weight, including total and abdominal body fat. Beyond weight loss, they also showed meaningful improvements in insulin sensitivity, healthier cholesterol levels, fewer signs of inflammation and favorable changes in hormones that help regulate appetite and metabolism.

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    The woolly rhino lived from 5.3 million to about 8,700 years so in present-day Europe, North Africa, and Asia. The large mammals had two large horns towards the front of the skull, and a thick coat of hair. Stone Age painters frequently included the woolly rhino in their work, including on cave paintings in France’s Chauvet–Pont d’Arc dating back about 30,000 years.

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    These improvements were similar whether participants followed the meat-based or the vegetarian diet.

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    The woolly rhinoceros DNA found inside of the ice age wolf was discovered in permafrost near the village of Tumat in Siberia. When scientists performed an autopsy on the ancient wolf, they identified a small fragment of preserved woolly rhino tissue inside of its stomach. Radiocarbon dating indicated that the tissue was about 14,400 years old, making it one of the youngest specimens of woolly rhinoceros ever discovered.

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    Why it matters

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    a fossilized woolly rhino. it has a large horn on its head
    A permafrost-preserved woolly rhinoceros (not part of this paper) in Yakutsk, Russia. Image: Mammoth Museum of North-Eastern Federal University.
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    Ultraprocessed foods make up more than half the calories consumed by most U.S. adults. Although these foods are convenient and widely available, studies that track people’s diets over time increasingly link them with obesity and age-related chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With older adults making up a growing share of the global population, strategies that preserve metabolic health could support healthy aging.

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    Since genetic material degrades over time, mapping the genome of animals like these that died thousands of years ago is incredibly difficult. The wolf’s own DNA also further complicates the analyses.

    +

    Most previous feeding studies testing how ultraprocessed foods affect people’s health haven’t reflected real-world eating, especially among Americans. For example, some studies have compared diets made up almost entirely of ultraprocessed foods with diets that contain little to none at all.

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    “It was really exciting, but also very challenging, to extract a complete genome from such an unusual sample,” added Sólveig Guðjónsdóttir, a study co-lead author, who carried out the work as part of her master’s thesis at Stockholm University.

    +

    Our study aimed to more closely approximate people’s experience while still closely tracking the foods they consumed. It is the first to show that for older adults a realistic reduction in ultraprocessed foods, outside the lab, has measurable health benefits beyond just losing weight. For older adults especially, maintaining metabolic health helps preserve mobility, independence and quality of life.

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    Comparing genomes

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    What’s still unknown

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    To get a sense of how genome diversity, inbreeding levels, and harmful mutations changed throughout the last ice age, the team then compared the Tumat rhinoceros’ genome with two other high-quality genomes from older specimens. Both of these specimens were older, dating back to about 18,000 and 49,000 years ago. 

    +

    Our study was small, reflecting the complexity of studies in which researchers tightly control what participants eat. It was not designed to show whether the metabolic improvements we observed can prevent or delay diseases such as diabetes or heart disease over time. Larger, longer studies will be needed to answer that.

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    They did not find any signs of genetic deterioration due to a lack of suitable mates as the woolly rhinos approached its extinction. This indicates that the species as a whole probably maintained a stable and relatively large population until just before it disappeared around 8,700 years ago.

    +

    On the practical side, it’s still unclear whether people can cut back on ultraprocessed foods in their daily lives without structured support, and what strategies would make it easier to do so. It’s also not fully understood which aspects of processing – for example, additives, emulsifiers or extrusion – matter more for health.

    -
    a large chunk of tissue with brown hair from a woolly rhino
    The piece of woolly rhino tissue found inside the stomach of the Tumat-1 puppy. Note that the small cut marks are from the DNA sampling done at the Centre for Palaeogenetics in Stockholm. Image: Love Dalén.
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    Answering these questions could help manufacturers produce foods that are healthier but still convenient – and make it easier for people to choose healthier food options.

    -

    “Our analyses showed a surprisingly stable genetic pattern with no change in inbreeding levels through tens of thousands of years prior to the extinction of woolly rhinos,” said study co-author and paleogenomicist Edana Lord.

    +

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    -

    Additionally, there was no evidence of a long-term gradual population decline within the genome. The extinction appears to have occurred relatively quickly, likely due to global warming at the end of the ice age.

    -

    “Our results show that the woolly rhinos had a viable population for 15,000 years after the first humans arrived in northeastern Siberia, which suggests that climate warming rather than human hunting caused the extinction,” concluded study co-author and evolutionary genomicist Love Dalén.

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    The post 14,000-year-old woolly rhinoceros DNA extracted from wolf’s stomach appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Why is okra so slimy? Blame the mucilage.]]>The plant’s signature goo helps it thrive in the heat.

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    The post Why is okra so slimy? Blame the mucilage. appeared first on Popular Science.

    -]]>    https://www.popsci.com/science/why-is-okra-slimy/https://www.popsci.com/?p=730788Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:02:00 -0500ScienceAgricultureAsk Us AnythingEnvironmentOkra is one of those vegetables with a polarizing reputation. Whether you call it slimy, gooey, sticky, or slippery, if you’ve eaten okra, you probably have an opinion about its unique texture, which is more properly described as “mucilaginous.”

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    The post Eating less ultraprocessed food supports healthier aging, new research shows appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    en-US    <![CDATA[Tired? You may have social jetlag.]]>When life gets in the way of your body's ideal sleep schedule, things get messy.

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    The post Tired? You may have social jetlag. appeared first on Popular Science.

    +]]>    https://www.popsci.com/health/what-is-social-jetlag/https://www.popsci.com/?p=731681Fri, 23 Jan 2026 09:01:00 -0500HealthAsk Us AnythingScienceHours before sunrise, society’s earliest larks begin their day. Tales of Apple’s Tim Cook attending to his email at 3:45 a.m., novelist Barbara Kingsolver writing furiously at 4 a.m., and Michelle Obama starting her gym workout at 4:30 a.m. headline the early bird media fanfare. Early risers are the most celebrated in America’s optimization-obsessed culture that has decided the key to success is being up far before the sun.

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    Some okra recipes strive to minimize slime; others celebrate and embrace the thickening it provides to dishes like Louisiana gumbo. But did you ever wonder why okra is so gooey? What’s the source, and what purpose does it serve for the okra plant?

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    But there’s a lot these “aspirational” narratives leave out, like the fact that pre-dawn wake-ups only work if you’re wired for early rising—they can be downright unhealthy if you’re not. 

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    Mucilage protects okra seeds

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    What is your chronotype?

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    The edible part of okra is the plant’s immature seedpods, which contain high levels of a substance called mucilage. Food science writer Harold McGee described mucilage in his book On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen as “a complex mixture of long, entangled carbohydrate molecules and proteins that helps plants and their seeds retain water.” Basically, mucilage is the watery slime around the okra seeds. As the seeds develop, their moist coating protects them from drying out.

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    Sleep and wake-up schedules are based on something called chronotype. Your chronotype is your biological inclination to fall asleep and wake up at certain times. And everyone has a different one: there are larks (early to bed, early to rise), doves (in the middle, this is most people), and owls (late to bed, late to rise). 

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    Okra likely evolved its slime (or, more accurately, mucilage) as a water-conserving adaptation for growing in hot, dry climates. McGee notes that the okra plant “originated in either southwest Asia or eastern Africa, and came to the southern United States with the slave trade.” Today, okra is popular in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and is known for its high tolerance to heat and drought when compared with other crops. 

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    Chronotype is not only a blueprint for when you’ll get good sleep, but also for what time your brain works best, and the most appropriate times to eat meals. According to experts, schedules are far from one-size fits all. When we regularly go against our body clock, we end up with a condition called social jetlag.

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    Mucilage is found across the plant world

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    What is social jetlag?

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    Okra is not the only plant with goo-producing levels of mucilage. It’s a common feature of desert plants like cacti and succulents, which have a similar need to store water. Other edible examples include some seaweeds, and leafy greens such as Malabar spinach, native to Asia, and molokhia, popular in parts of Africa and the Middle East.

    +

    Social jetlag is the difference in sleep times between work/school days and free days. Coined in 2006 by Professor of Chronobiology Dr. Till Roenneberg at Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich, the term points to the idea of being between two time zones: that of your body clock and that of society’s clock. 

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    Mucilage is actually produced in smaller quantities by almost all plants, as well as by some microorganisms. Single-celled protists like amoebas propel themselves on a trail of mucilage, similar to the slime trail of a snail. Japanese natto, made from fermented soybeans, gets its signature stretchiness from bacterial cultures. 

    +

    Social jetlag can arise from continually needing to wake up for work before your body is ready or from staying out too late because your friends are all late-night barflies. The consequences of social jetlag exceed just needing a cup of coffee. According to research, people with chronic social jetlag can suffer from a roster of health problems.

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    In a small ceramic bowl sits some slimy tan soybeans. A pair of chopsticks lifts three of the beans up from the bowl, stretching the slime.
    Japanese natto, made from fermented soybeans, takes advantage of mucilage to get its signature stretch. Image: DepositPhotos
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    “[For] practically every pathology or health deficit that we look at, the more social jetlag you have, the higher your probability of developing it,” Roenneberg tells Popular Science.

    -

    “The majority of plants produce mucilage from the seed coat,” according to a 2021 research review. However, the way that mucilage keeps seeds moist can vary. While okra seeds grow inside a mucilage coating, in other plants, mature seeds that have been shed produce mucilage by absorbing water from their surroundings. You can see this yourself when you soak chia seeds to make a chia pudding, or flaxseeds to make a “flax egg” for vegan baking. Each tiny seed sucks up water to form a layer of mucilage, creating a gel-like texture.

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    Your biology determines your ideal wake/sleep schedule

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    There are also other ways plants use mucilage beyond water conservation. Carnivorous sundews use droplets of mucilage as glue traps for insects. Sierra Mixe or olotón, an heirloom variety of corn from Oaxaca, Mexico, has exposed roots that drip with mucilage. This slime shelters symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria. As a result, says a 2020 UC Davis report, “Sierra Mixe corn receives much of the nitrogen it needs from the atmosphere,” and thrives in nitrogen-poor soil.

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    Modern society is organized for early chronotypes, a subset of the population that only accounts for approximately 15 percent of people. For the rest of us (doves at 70 percent and owls at 15 percent), our alarm clocks go off in the middle of our biological night. Roenneberg describes this disparity as “biological discrimination.” He says late types have a significant disadvantage at school when they are young.

    -

    People have many uses for mucilage, too

    +

    “The late types are not as good in high school and college as they are later when they can choose their own work times,” he says. And even if night owl students are able to function before their biological morning has even begun, they’re still at an academic disadvantage. They are cheated out of the essential part of their sleep in which their brains consolidate what they learned the day before.

    -

    The human uses for mucilage go far beyond food. Historically, plant mucilage was used as a natural hair gel, and as an adhesive for paper stamps and labels. In medicine, mucilage can act as a demulcent, a substance that soothes irritated mucus membranes by forming a protective layer over them. Examples include slippery elm tea for sore throat and aloe ointment for sunburn. Mucilage is also the active ingredient in fiber supplements such as psyllium husk, and is found in some cosmetics.

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    Morning entrance exams for universities and medical schools also skew in favor of early types. And while larks excel in the morning hours, they too are negatively affected by traditional work hours, only later in the day. According to Roenneberg, research has shown that productivity and effectiveness can take a nosedive for early types in the afternoon.

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    Scientists also increasingly look to mucilage for industrial purposes. A 2021 research review describes plant mucilage as “a renewable and cost-effective source of plant-based compounds”  that are both biodegradable and environmentally friendly. In the case of okra specifically, its mucilage has been used to make biodegradable food packaging film and for filtering particles from wastewater.

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    “We have all these early type doctors who actually make a lot of mistakes when it gets to the afternoon,” he says, referencing a 2018 study that examined surgery mortality rates and time of day.

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    The seed vaults that could save humanity

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    Should you keep eggs in the fridge? Short answer: Yes.

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    The best chocolate chip cookie recipe, according to science

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    Are induction stoves better? These chefs think so.

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    Can one big meal really make you gain weight?

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    Do you need more sleep in fall and winter? Probably.

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    Is sleeping outside good for you? Science has a clear answer.

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    What causes you to jolt awake right before falling asleep?

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    Can tracking make my sleep worse? The quiet torment of sleep tech.

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    How to handle mucilage when cooking okra

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    In addition to impacting sleep and alertness, living against your body clock can also cause you to do things at the wrong times. Mealtimes are a good example of this. If you’re an owl or a dove waking up at 5 a.m. for work, then having breakfast at 6 a.m., you’re eating a meal in the middle of your biological night, which can have a deleterious effect on your metabolism. 

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    This perpetual misalignment makes people with social jetlag more likely to become obese, as well as smoke and drink alcohol. Late chronotypes are dealt the most difficult hand in this way. “For very late types, the chances of developing type two diabetes are higher if they work in a nine-to-five job than if they do a night shift,” Roenneberg says. 

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    Some cultures actively celebrate mucilage as a part of the culinary experience. In Japan, the texture of ingredients like okra and natto, known as neba-neba, is prized. In Nigeria, dishes made with okra and other viscous ingredients are called “draw soups,” because they’re so thick they draw back into the pot on their own when lifted. However, some don’t like the slimy texture, which is why there are many methods to make okra less slimy in the kitchen, rather than more so. 

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    Experts recommend eating when you’re hungry, and not just because it’s “mealtime.” Like for sleep, your body will tell you when it’s time. For late types often forced to run around hours before their cells are awake, it’s okay to skip the lark’s early breakfast time and stash something in your bag for later when hunger strikes.

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    Science writer Jared Levan noted in a 2018 article for Food Republic that “mucilage’s viscosity increases when heat is applied.” Short cooking preparations of okra, such as frying or sauteeing, release less mucilage than long ones, such as stewing. Adding acidic ingredients like tomatoes to okra also helps reduce the slime. And because the mucilage is concentrated in the center of the okra pods, chopping or slicing them releases more slime than cooking them whole.

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    How to reduce your social jetlag

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    Even if you’re not a fan of okra’s mucilage, there are still many ways to enjoy the vegetable without it. Or perhaps mucilage will go down a little easier when you remember just how useful it is, for both plants and people.

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    In an ideal world, all of us would schedule our lives around our chronotype. We wouldn’t use alarm clocks. Instead, we’d wake up with our body and go to work at a time when it’s healthiest to do so. Chronobiologists say the entire social schedule should be re-examined. Until then, however, there are things you can do to slightly adjust your chronotype.

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    In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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    “Light is the most important factor for setting the brain clock,” Roenneberg says. Natural light, to be specific. The human world has disrupted this signal with all the time we spend indoors and our ability to turn on artificial light whenever we want; not to mention our use of screens that emit blue light at all hours. Artificial light’s suppression of melatonin, at night or in the morning,  makes early types earlier and late types later. 

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    The post Why is okra so slimy? Blame the mucilage. appeared first on Popular Science.

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    To remedy this, Roenneberg recommends spending time outside. “Get as much light as possible during the day and use as little light—especially blue light—as possible after sunset.” For all types, adhering to the natural light and darkness cycle can help sync your body clock to the sun and reduce your social jetlag.

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    In Ask Us Anything, Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions, from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. Have something you’ve always wanted to know? Ask us.

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    The post Tired? You may have social jetlag. appeared first on Popular Science.

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