"Does the Sun make noise?"

Views expressed in this science and technology update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 19 December 2024, 1453 UTC.

Content and Source:   https://www.popsci.com/

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiisciencejournal.blogspot.com).

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Today

Does the Sun make noise?

Popular Science / 26min

The sun is a singular experience in Earthly life. We see it. We feel it. But we can’t seem to hear it. If we did, would it sound like an explosion? Or a primordial heartbeat ? Or just a dull roar, bellowing 93 million miles away? The sun is huge—roughly 100 times wider than Earth, and it’s especially active lately—so much so that its eruptions can distort GPS, degrade communications , and create

Finally, a good e-bike well under $1,000

Popular Science / 48min

How ’bout those gas prices ? You know what doesn’t take gas? An e-Bike. The SWFT EDGE 350W e-bike has a 44-mile range and can get up to 20mph. It’s a fit for everything from quick trips for groceries to outdoor adventures, and it’s on sale right now. Instead of paying $999 for this awesome e-bike, it’s only $799.99. A long-range e-bike under $1,000 All those little trips you take with your car co

Upgrade your Mac with Microsoft Office 2024 for just $119.97

Popular Science / 2h

TL;DR: The newest version of Microsoft Office is on sale now for $119.97 . I’ve been a diehard Apple user since the early days. The interface just makes sense to me, and I love how my Mac syncs with my phone, so I have all my messages, photos, and emails right where I need them. The one thing I hate about my Mac, though? The constant struggles with formatting changes when I’m trying to open Power

Yesterday

Population of nearly extinct lizard grows 16X in only six years

Popular Science / 14h

A nearly-extinct Caribbean reptile is showing signs of a comeback following years of conservation efforts. The population of the Sombrero ground lizard ( Pholidoscelis corvinus ) has increased from less than 100 individuals in 2018, to over 1,600 in 2024. The huge population jump is detailed in a survey released on December 18 . A Sombrero ground lizard (Pholidoscelis corvinus) filmed in 2023. CR

People keep falling for fake ‘drones over Jersey’ videos

New Jersey residents report drone symptoms

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Popular Science / 17h

A recent influx of videos supposedly showing “drones” or other spooky unidentified aerial phenomena flying over darkened US skylines appears to be the result, in part, of AI-trickery. Since late November, residents in New Jersey and at least five other states have reported spotting bright objects flying overhead. The sightings have stirred speculation, amplified by celebrities , commentators , an

Can a projector really replace your TV?

Popular Science / 17h

Getting the movie theater experience at home has always been the dream. As soon as flat screen, rectangular TVs gained popularity–burying clunky square TVs housed in armoire-sized cabinets in the tech graveyard–the idea that you could create an experience as good as (if not better than) a movie theater really took a foothold. The prices came down as the sizes went up, and screens ranging from 65”

The first confirmed, severe human case of bird flu is here

38Popular Science / 18h

A person in Louisiana has been hospitalized with a severe case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (Type A H5N1), according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statement released Wednesday. It’s the first ever confirmed instance of a severe bird flu infection in the United States and the first reported human case of bird flu in Louisiana. The patient was not infected via work at a po

Shy ‘Paddington’ bears need more plants to survive

Popular Science / 19h

Andean bears ( Tremarctos ornatus ), perhaps best known for their fictional representation in ”Paddington,” are tropical mammals endemic to the Andes Mountains from Bolivia to Venezuela. They are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN , but some new insight into their feeding behavior could help protect them. Andean bears carefully select the best foraging locations and plants in order to maximize thei

Bacteria-powered artificial tongue can taste-test alcohol for additives

Artificial tongue detects drink composition

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Popular Science / 20h

A tiny device home to genetically modified bacteria may soon function like an artificial tongue that rapidly analyzes an alcoholic drink’s chemical composition. Using existing biological nanopore technology that underpins DNA sequencing, these new tools could even one day test whether or not a beverage is contaminated with unwanted additives, or even deadly toxins. The whole nanopore setup can be

Enormous black hole napping after eating a ton of gas

Popular Science / 22h

You’ve likely been there– snoozing on the couch after a large or decadent meal . A similar phenomenon is being observed with a black hole detected in the early universe . Using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) a team of scientists detected a black hole that is laying dormant after consuming too much matter. The sleepy black hole is described in a study published December 18 in t

Recent panic over black plastic started with a math error

Popular Science / 23h

The authors of a study warning against health risks associated with a common plastic found in kitchen utensils and children’s toys have issued a major correction to their report. According to their December 16th announcement , researchers at the environmental health advocacy group, Toxic-Free Future , initially believed people are potentially exposed to decabromodiphenyl ether on a daily basis as

Yes, ginger ale really does taste better on a plane. Here’s why.

Popular Science / 1d

What’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

Straight out of the future: This inkless pen never runs out

Popular Science / 1d

Ever wish your pen could keep up with your endless ideas? The ForeverPen is here to make that a reality, straight from the future. This tiny tool is designed to write forever, no ink refills, no charging , just endless writing magic for $23.99 (reg. $40). Made from a unique metal alloy, the ForeverPen leaves a mark on most surfaces, from paper to cardboard and even wood, making it the ultimate si

Set a New Year’s resolution to learn a new language with our unbeatable Babbel deal

Popular Science / 1d

We can’t believe it’s already the end of another year and time to start setting goals for the next. Ours? Traveling more and learning the languages of each place we visit—well, at least a little. We know resolutions are easier to set than achieve, so we’re getting Babbel. Practicing 14 new languages with an app instead of taking classes? We’ll do that any day of the week—literally. Especially whe

Dec 17, 2024

‘Shocking:’ These squirrels are hunting and eating other rodents

62Popular Science / 1d

California ground squirrels ( Otospermophilus beecheyi ) might look like your run of the mill bushy-tailed rodent . But these squirrels are anything but ordinary. For the first time, they have been observed hunting, killing, and eating other animals– tiny rodents called California voles ( Microtus californicus ). The predation is described in a study published December 18 in the journal Journal o

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