Part of what makes the timing of each flu season unpredictable is that scientists still don’t understand exactly why we have one at all. There have, of course, been lots of theories: One theory is that flu peaks in winter because people spend more time indoors, with the windows closed, breathing each other’s air: Other scientists have argued that the darkness (i.e. lack of Vitamin D and melatonin) and cold of winter weaken our immune systems, making us more susceptible to the virus: A third theory is that–regardless of how we deal with the cold–the flu virus thrives in the cold, dry air of winter, but suffers in the warm, humid air of summer....

However, CRISPR alone couldn’t completely get rid of HIV and its viral DNA. But in a new study, Khalili and his collaborators combined the gene editing technique with an enhanced version of the virus-suppressing drugs normally given to treat HIV, and were able to eliminate HIV entirely from animal models. Ridding the virus from the body effectively eliminates the disease, he says. HIV integrates its own DNA into the genetic code of cells that it infects, and uses them to make more copies of the virus....

However, hard doesn’t mean impossible. In fact, measuring the distribution of environmental DNA, or eDNA—more on what that is in a moment—has allowed scientists to identify what animals have visited a given area without a camera or listening through a hydrophone. A team of ocean scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration proved that they can effectively deploy a fleet of specialized robots to harvest this type of evidence in a new study out last week in the journal Environmental DNA....

First, though, here’s what the patent doesn’t cover: the driverless technology itself. That technology is nearly old hat for Google, now that it’s got test cars that have totaled nearly 2 million miles of driverless driving. This new patent covers everything else, from the kinds of vehicles that could deliver packages autonomously (cargo vans, minivans, panel vans, platform trucks, refrigerated trucks, and more) to the propulsion systems they might use (gasoline, electric, hybrid)....

A new study, published Wednesday in Nature, reveals just how much pollution the Lower 48 states are sharing between each other. The findings point to the need for greater cross-state coordination in managing emissions. “Generally, air pollution is thought of a local problem,” says Irene Dedoussi, aerospace engineering professor at Delft University of Technology and lead author of the research. “Increasingly, before this study, we were becoming aware that air pollution can be affected by distant sources....

Engineers investigated every piece of hockey equipment during the initial phases of the OD1N program, but in the end, Bauer chose only three products to deliver to a handful of elite NHL athletes. Those players began testing the gear at the end of the 2013–2014 season and will continue wearing it into this one. The advantage? According to Bauer, athletes in OD1N armor and skates will reach the other end of the ice more than a second faster than those wearing conventional gear....

Horseshoe crabs are crucial participants in modern medicine. This 500-million-year-old species’ bright blue blood will clot in the presence of bacterial toxins that can cause septic shock in humans. Pharmaceutical companies use the stuff to test intravenous medications for these clot-causing substances before the drugs enter our bodies. They use it so much in medicine that horseshoe crab populations are at risk. In the 1980s, my team sought to create a synthetic version of the gene responsible for this clotting reaction....

The creator of XKCD, Randall Munroe, is a former NASA roboticist, and he gives a pretty straight-faced answer on the necessary number of model rockets (65,000-ish) and the best way to arrange them (layer-upon-layer). So it can be done! But that’s just enough to make it to space–making it to orbit on model rockets is a tougher proposition. Basically, you’d need a gigantic model-rocket spacecraft. And as Munroe writes: “If it went up in flames–which it would–it would break the record for the largest manmade non-nuclear explosion in history....

But for General Motors, a connected car is nothing new. Since 1996, the company has offered OnStar, a subscription-based communications and safety service that connects owners with a GM call center where operators can assist with navigation, remote diagnostics of mechanical issues, and, in an emergency, to detect a crash (including deployment of air bags) and proactively reach out to both the vehicle’s occupants as well as emergency services. I spent five years as a volunteer firefighter in Colorado and we routinely had crash reports called in to the 911 dispatch center from OnStar operators....

In the US, the problem has been particularly severe at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the largest shipping complex in the Western Hemisphere, where as many as 70 ships at a time often idle at sea, awaiting entry to the port. According to the California Air Resources Board, over the last two years, ships using the Southern California ports are pumping an additional 20 tons of smog-inducing nitrogen oxides into the air each day....

In a new study published in Integrative Organismal Biology on Monday, ichthyologists and other team members at the University of Kansas investigated the archerfish, from the origin of the various species to the divergence of the family of fish. For years, the ichthyology community had debated what counts as part of the archerfish family. By taking a closer look at the tiny bones involved in the unique shooting behavior, the study authors were able to identify an unexpected evolutionary tree, branching from Asia to Australia....

Being able to create a fin on the spot—or at least churn out a bunch ahead of time—would have been essential then. These days, with 3D printing, surfers can produce a fin whenever necessary for just a few dollars. Missing an epic morning session because the local surf shop won’t open until 10 could soon be a thing of the past. These 3D-printed fins are also much more affordable than a pack of three skegs that can cost $100 for a set....

Why doing your taxes now is better Taxes aggravate us. More than half of Americans find taxes stressful. Sure, there’s the paperwork, the rules, and the feeling like you probably could get more money back if you knew what you were doing. And then there’s the deadline. One survey found that 30 percent of its respondents said deadlines were the most anxiety-inducing part of their job. Second on that list was “Life of another at risk....

Drink Typical powdered punch can form clumps when you mix it. Tapioca flour in Nature Restore Organic Pomegranate Juice Powder helps the dehydrated beverage remain smooth. Breakfast Cooks at Backpacker’s Pantry season raisins and almonds with cardamom and orange peel to create Indian Rice Pudding. One helping delivers 12 grams of protein plus dashes of calcium and potassium. Snack Dried fruit like dates and apricots bind Wild Zora Original Meat & Veggie Bars together for a texture that’s softer and tastier than gas-​station jerky....

Ostensibly, these sites use your search history to assemble a profile of who they think you are, allowing them to show you content or products that they hope will appeal to your interests. Conveniently for these tech companies, understanding your preferences also lets them serve you targeted advertisements. On the bright side, a service can only collect this information while you’re logged into your account for that site. Still, if you’re uncomfortable with this record of your past searches, or you don’t want them to influence your future browsing (maybe you’ve run a lot of queries for camping accessories but no longer want to see ads for related products), you can scrub them from existence....

Click here to see all of PopSci’s COVID-19 coverage. You probably haven’t considered making your own hand sanitizer. Stores sell it for cheap, in a variety of scents and styles, and it’s basically as good as it can be. But if you want to get some DIY bragging rights, clean your paws using a particular scent-combo, or prepare just in case of another shortage, you can easily make your own with supplies you can find at a drugstore or may already have at home....

With the frenetic pace of modern life, we’ve got more to remember than ever. Help is at hand in the form of (what else) your smartphone. As well as a digital camera, music player, and all-round communications device, your phone can also act as a combination of secretary and to-do list when it comes to reminding you about what you need to get done. And your options are much more sophisticated than that notebook or pile of Post-it notes that they will replace....

As with the other tricks your phone can do—from map navigation to fitness tracking—you’ll first need to find the right app. Then you can think about building a cast of characters, setting the stage, and working on the story you’d like to tell. Beyond that, if your plans aren’t too ambitious, numerous apps will pack individual images together and produce a GIF for you—you can try ImgPlay GIF Maker (free for iOS or $3 to remove the watermark and ads) or GIF Maker (free for Android or $3 for the premium version with all available features)....

Firstly, the existing multitasking features in iPadOS got some spit and polish: They’re now easier to use, and a couple of additions to the interface should prove to boost productivity. Secondly, the full widget support already available for iPhones has now come to the iPad, which means you can place these shortcuts anywhere on your home screen, and even make your own if you want to. These features add up to a more powerful and versatile iPad experience than ever before....

The new lock screen removes the ‘slide-to-unlock’ option We’ll start where you do: unlocking your phone. Apple has done away with the famous “slide to unlock” function. Now, you have to either press the home button and enter a passcode, or use Touch ID to get in. While this may be annoying for some people who prefer sliding, it forces you to have additional security on your device, which is ultimately a good thing for protecting your data....