One of the US Space Force’s (sort of) secret space planes known as the X-37B is gearing up to shift its orbit in a big way. According to an official October 10 announcement from the USSF, the Boeing-built experimental aircraft has begun performing a series of maneuvers known as “aerobraking” that will see it change […] The post Space Force’s mysterious X-37B is testing its ‘aerobraking’ appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

Keeping large gadgets like laptops and tablets charged while you’re on the go can be a chore, but Anker’s 24,000mAh 3-Port Laptop Power Bank proves that it doesn’t have to be. Right now, you can get the three-port power bank 40% less than usual thanks to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale. Remember, if you […] The post This power bank can recharge a laptop, and it’s 40% off during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

The makers of the Rubik’s cube went small to celebrate the iconic puzzle toy’s 50th anniversary. Thanks to a collaboration with Japan-based Megahouse and Iriso Precision Company, designers have completed what is now the official Guinness World Record holder for the “smallest rotating puzzle cube.” But even at just 0.5 cm (0.19 in) wide, the […] The post The world’s tiniest Rubik’s cube is as wide as 3 grains of rice appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

Moving through the world as a microorganism isn’t always easy. Bacteria and other small creatures squirming inside bodies often have to propel themselves through thick, viscous environments. For a human, this would look like someone awkwardly trying to swim their way through a pool of honey. Nature has already come up with creative solutions to […] The post Tiny, doughnut-shaped robot can swim through snot appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

The Tropicana received a very traditional Las Vegas farewell in the early hours of October 9th. At 5:30AM EST, the historic hotel and casino collapsed in seconds during a controlled demolition involving nearly 2,200 lbs of explosives strategically placed throughout the landmark’s pair of 23-story towers. A grand total of 917,400 square feet of steel […] The post Watch 2,200 pounds of explosives implode the Tropicana Las Vegas appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

Neutron imaging has helped reveal historical discrepancies hidden within a collection of illegally trafficked Iron Age swords. But the nine ancient Iranian weapons aren’t wholesale forgeries—according to an October 8 announcement from researchers at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, they were assembled by fusing metal fragments from multiple different artifacts together to form “Frankenstein’s […] The post Iron Age swords revealed as ‘Frankenstein’s monster’ black market forgeries appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

Geoffrey Hinton, one of the so-called ‘Godfathers of AI’ has won a Nobel Prize for pioneering the very same technology he fears could result in the “end of people.” Hinton and fellow AI researcher John J. Hopfield were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday for their crucial early work on artificial neural networks, […] The post ‘Godfather of AI’ wins Nobel Prize for work he fears threatens humanity appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

A 16-year-old, two-time Tetris world champion made video game history over the weekend by becoming the first player to pull off a “rebirth,” the moment when Level 255 rolls over to reset at Level 0. In doing so, Michael “dogplayingtetris” Artiaga’ proved it’s hypothetically possible to stack 2D blocks for eternity. The teen’s 81-minute feat […] The post Is Tetris infinite? Teen world champ reaches fabled ‘rebirth’ appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

There’s a lot to explore in Google Maps beyond the basics of getting directions and looking up locations. One of the features you might not have spotted is Timeline: A comprehensive history of everywhere you’ve been and every place you’ve visited (as long as you took a phone running Google Maps with you). That might […] The post How to use Google Maps Timeline to revisit past trips appeared first on Popular Science ..read more

I’m a firm believer in educational toys for children. As a former elementary school teacher, I’m on board with any plaything that not only entertains but also increases skills, such as hand-eye coordination, or imparts knowledge on a potentially difficult subject like, say, physics. Our picks include a well-rounded quadcopter with a camera that’s capable […] The post The best drones for kids in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science ..read more