Popular Science. Demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872.
Why do our ears pop on a plane? An audiologist explains.
Tricks to fix it go beyond chewing gum.
Could women actually be better suited to weight lifting than men are?
Plus horny fruit flies and other weird things we learned this week.
Rachel Feltman
At Popular Science, we report and write dozens of stories every week. And while a lot of the fun facts we stumble across make it into our articles, there are lots of other weird facts that we just keep around the office. So we figured, why not share those with you? Welcome to The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week.
Why does food by the campfire taste better?
From boosted flavors to primal memories, campfire meals tap into something deep and delicious.
World’s most accurate clock requires a 2-mile laser beam
It measure a second down to the 19th decimal.
When blood hits clothes, physics takes over
Researchers fired pig’s blood at fabrics to decode the messy mechanics of crime scenes.
17 fascinating images from the 2025 Shark Photographer of the Year awards
From Australia to Cuba, and Mexico to South Africa, our planet is home to hundreds of beautiful shark species.
Mysterious ‘ship goo’ contains new life forms
No one quite knows how the tar-like substance got on a Great Lakes research vessel.
Yes, Superman’s kryptonite is (sort of) real
The mineral jadarite has the same chemical composition as Superman’s weakness. It may be a problem for humans, too.
Medieval Hungarians kept eating horse meat, despite Christianity’s influence
Analysis of over 500 equine bones show the real reason the once dietary staple declined.
How to make sure your eSIM doesn’t get hacked
New cellphone technology is more secure than the old stuff—but it’s not ironclad.
3D-printed model of a 500-year-old prosthetic hand hints at life of a Renaissance amputee
Engineering offers historians new tools to examine physical evidence.
Popular Science Cover Art Store
Own a piece of science history.
Popular Science has been demystifying the worlds of science and technology since 1872. We explain the inner workings of the phone in your pocket, explore world-changing innovations, and examine everything from the marvels of deep space to the secret lives of staples like bread. We deliver an engaging, approachable, and inclusive look at emerging technologies and scientific advances.
Daily, Popular Science unpacks the science behind the top current new stories, dissects the latest technology and digital trends, and helps readers live smarter, safer, and happier through clever DIY projects.
Meet the team
Our writers and editors