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A tight, candid close-up captures three Black men of different generations leaning their heads together in shared laughter. The man in the center is older with a grey beard, flanked by two younger men. All three have their eyes closed or squinted with joy, showcasing genuine, broad smiles and visible teeth. The image has a warm, intimate feel, emphasizing a strong emotional connection.
Biology

Why is laughter contagious? Blame your brain.

The science behind that uncontrollable giggle.

By Clarissa Brincat

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Phosphorescent paint inspired Victorian-era Australians to dress up as ghosts and pull pranks

Plus, Louis Pasteur’s secrets and other weird things we learned this week.

Rachel Feltman

Rachel Feltman

Host

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.

Latest Articles

a grad student works with a robotic hand that is directly mimicking its movement
Robots

This wristband makes you a robot puppeteer

A new robotic hand can toss balls, play piano, and gesture all by following your commands.

By Mack DeGeurin

Illustration of Neanderthal tribe butchering large elephant near lake
Evolution

Neanderthals hunted giant elephants in Europe

125,000-year-old fossils and weapons confirm the first butchering site of its kind.

By Andrew Paul

a bird with long legs and green feathers standing on a rock
Birds

Student discovers new Galápagos bird, solving a decades-old mystery

As far as herons go, this colorful bird is rather petite.

By Laura Baisas

lock Safety license plate recognition camera on a pole
AI

Cameras have quietly appeared in thousands of US cities

Now, their integration with AI is sounding alarms.

By Jess Reia / The Conversation

Close up of gray squirrel in tree
Wildlife

Squirrels love almonds, and will work harder to get them

Pumpkin seeds, on the other hand, are just kind of meh.

By Andrew Paul

Vagus nerves, illustration.
Diseases

Vagus nerve stimulation shows promise as a way to counter Alzheimer’s disease

And also other age‑related memory loss.

By Elizabeth Riley / The Conversation

An artist’s interpretation of mammals that lived during the last Ice Age. Fossils from similar species of an armadillo-like pampathere (bottom left) and giant ground sloth (background) were among those found in a recent study of a Texas water cave. Credit: Adapted from artwork by Jaime Chirinos
Evolution

Giant armadillo, mastodon, and sloth fossils found in flooded Texas cave

Snorkling scientists had no idea they’d find a prehistoric treasure trove.

By Andrew Paul

a sperm whale calf swims under its mother
Whales

Baby sperm whale birth captured in groundbreaking video

Awestruck scientists watched as 10 whales helped a mother named Rounder give birth.

By Laura Baisas

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 21: Fans of K-pop boy band BTS cheer during the comeback concert of K-pop boy band BTS near the Gwanghwamun Square on March 21, 2026 in Seoul, South Korea. The free concert is the band's first performance in nearly four years.
Science

How BTS turned an entire city into a stage

Seoul’s streets became a network of synchronized audiences.

By Yook JiHun

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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.

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