Millions of people are watching popular science Every month in 2024, catch up on the latest scientific advances, technological fiascos, and everything in between. Using a secret formula of readership demographics, social activity, and curatorial instincts, we’ve got everything from DIY home tips to (so-called) Hell’s Gates to (real) Invisible Mouse 22 (I wonder why!) We have collected stories of. Peruse the most popular headlines of 2024 below and click to read the article.
We love answering reader questions in series Please ask me anything. When asked what to do about the ever-increasing e-waste, plastic, recalled microwave ovens, bedbug-infested couches, and stranded tankers on Earth, one of our readers asked us to put it all back on Earth. I came up with an idea to try it out. solar. popular science Contributor Hari Weber seriously considered this proposal and consulted experts to see if it was viable in one of the most read articles of the year. Short answer: no. But why? The answer is… practical. (If you’re feeling inspired, you can always submit a burning question using the following command: this form. There’s nothing outrageous that we can tackle. )
If you had any access to the internet during the first two years of the pandemic, you may have seen a very big situation. persistent meme floating around. The magazine argued that the lack of human activity in the outside world, while we were isolated at home by well-meaning health officials, had led to a kind of ecological renaissance. Turns out that wasn’t actually true. popular science Contributor Lauren Leffer digs into the real science behind the viral phenomenon (but a fake one). No, dolphins weren’t swimming in Venice’s canals. sorry.
The Mastervoice Butler in a Box was the original home voice assistant, first introduced in 1983 and costing more than $4,000 each in today’s money. Our intrepid video team discovered it and set out to reboot it more than 40 years later. It was a journey! Uncover the rich history of the ancient gadget and try your hand at making it work.
What happens when you take collagen? a 4 billion dollars If you look at the market, you’ll see that it has a lot of benefits, especially if you’re trying to restore your skin’s youthful glow. Contributor Hannah Seo takes that argument down to the granular…well, molecular level. Read on to learn more about collagen drinks, dermatology advice, and the wild world of poorly regulated supplements.
Did you know that instead of contributing to the garbage heap (again, you can’t just launch them into the sun) or wasting your money, you can recycle, upcycle, and repair your old sunglasses? Among the countless projects, tips, and guides we published this year, one about sunglasses might have piqued your interest. 
It may sound like the stuff of science fiction, but with the help of physics and chemistry, scientists have made the bellies of living lab mice nearly transparent, allowing an unobstructed view of their internal pumps and heartbeats. I did it like this. Oh, and the dye commonly used in orange snacks was also used. wild! Read featured articles including interviews with scientists. Catch us on NPRif you don’t believe me.
Killer whales usually hang out and hunt in packs, but this solitary creature with a penchant for blood took on one of the most feared predators on the planet all by himself. Our resident all things undersea expert, Laura Baisas, observed this dangerous display of nature.
We love heists and planes!Staff writer Andrew Paul noticed this particularly creative one earlier this year. Despite all the hard work and creativity, the alleged smuggler wasn’t able to escape this time.
This was an extremely rare case and the first recorded instance of two life forms merging into one. primary endosymbiosis. In a laboratory experiment, certain types of marine algae and bacteria have combined to form a single organism. Scientists predict that this event could not have happened in the past billion years as we know it.
There are many natural landmarks on our planet named after the Biblical destinations of eternal damnation. But this one especially seems to be growing. Oh, oh.
Another popular video about the history of lost technology explores RCA’s ill-fated attempt to realize the Selectavision 400 home media system. It was a disaster for the company. Of course we had to get one of these and try to make it work. The struggle was real.
Did you know that Android smartphones have a sweet spot for optimal battery power? We know it’s shocking, but it’s not 100%. popular science Contributor and tech hack extraordinaire David Nield reveals the mechanism behind a full charge. It’s up to you whether you can handle it psychologically or not.
Did you know that coffee grounds can help reduce odors and increase compost? We’ve been using this and more for this seemingly waste until DIY enthusiast Debbie Wolfe gets inspired. I didn’t outline anything about it. For more at-home tips from Debbie, check out her guide to drying herbs, how to pickle food, and tips for cleaning your microwave.
Humans grow and change. It’s part of our nature. Not this guy. Gars, dart-shaped fish, have the slowest rate of molecular evolution among jawed vertebrates, and their genomes change much more slowly than other walking and swimming vertebrates around the world. did. That might explain the “old soul” look in Gar’s eyes.
General Automotive contributor Kristin Shaw digs into the history of the Ski-Doo, the only quiet snowmobile allowed in Yellowstone National Park. If you’re interested in rules, regulations, and snowmobile design, you’ll enjoy this in-depth look.
We were told to crush as many of these brightly patterned bugs as possible, but did it make a difference? In this in-depth feature by Lauren Leffer, we not only answer your burning questions, but also explain how invasive species and explain exactly how it will be treated. Read this to explore the scientific mystery of ecological imbalance. In the meantime, keep crushing it.
Let the scientists speak for you on this one. “Watching an invasive apex predator swallow a life-sized deer right before your eyes is something you’ll never forget.” Yay! Revisit a troubling piece of nature and try to make it invisible.
These basic and very important tips that apply to both Windows and macOS will not only keep your computer running smoothly, but also help you organize your life. Try it and find out for yourself.
Have you ever touched a soft sack of flesh hanging from your ear and wondered what it’s for? (Aside from wearing earrings, of course.) We’ve got the latest on vestigial organs. We’ve delved deep into the science and provided some very convincing theories about the mysteries of earlobe evolution. Please ask me anything Features.
Have you ever wondered how electronic drums and cymbals work? What do they sound like? how are they feeling? This hands-on guide from Stan Horaczek explains the technology in detail.
This was close to Andrew’s heart. We are glad that our readers share your interest. At the intersection of luck and technology, meet the kid who ultimately “won” the game, see the look on his face, and learn about the history of Tetris kill screens, mods, and “hypertapping.”
Laura found this super rare specimen New Hampshire local news outlets And we interviewed scientists who received it as a donation. Take a closer look at your fuzzy nails and learn how they got this way. Stay tuned for more amazing animals, breakthrough inventions, and helpful tips in 2025.
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