Weekly Headlines (Excerpts)

1. A vanishing star births a black hole—without the fireworks

Failed supernova candidate points to a stealthy pathway of stellar collapse

 12 FEB 2026 BY DANIEL CLERY 

2. Boosting origin of life theory, RNA comes close to copying itself

Some RNA molecules can create their own mirror images, suggesting similar molecules could have sparked life

 12 FEB 2026 BY ROBERT F. SERVICE

3. Can science build a better working dog?

New approaches could put talented canines into the hands of more people with disabilities

 12 FEB 2026 BY DAVID GRIMM 

4. Pre-Incans collected seabird poop from remote islands to use as fertilizer

Guano-based agriculture became highly prized in the Inca empire

 11 FEB 2026 BY CHRISTINA LARSON 

5. Rare, dangerous side effects of some COVID-19 vaccines explained

“Groundbreaking” study uncovers why adenovirus-based shots caused life-threatening blood clots and bleeding in some people

 11 FEB 2026 BY GRETCHEN VOGEL, KAI KUPFERSCHMIDT 

6. Snapping shrimp use headgear to protect their brains from shock waves

Unusual “hood” is the first known biological armor that protects against traumatic brain injury

 10 FEB 2026 BY CLAUDIA STEINER 

7. How did ancient Vietnamese people get such black smiles?

Iron salt toothpaste darkened pearly whites

 10 FEB 2026 BY CHRISTA LESTÉ-LASSERRE 

8. NASA greenlights two earth science missions, to researchers’ relief

Orbiting satellites will monitor changes in the stratosphere and on the planet’s surface

 9 FEB 2026 BY JAMES DINNEEN