Weekly Headlines (excerpts)

1. Antibodies from Long Covid patients prompt symptoms in mice

Two new studies suggest dysfunctional immune system attacking a patient's own tissues might drive the challenging condition

BY JENNIFER COUZIN-FRANKEL 21 JUN 2024 

2. World’s oldest stone needles unearthed on Tibetan Plateau

Objects may have been used for sewing tough fabrics—or possibly as ornaments

BY SOUMYA SAGAR 21 JUN 2024 

3. Chimps use more plant medicines than any other animal

Study suggests sick chimpanzees go out of their way to find plants with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties

BY DENNIS NORMILE 20 JUN 2024 

4. News at a glance: Saving an endangered leopard, restoring Europe’s habitats, and assessing a diabetes drug

The latest in science and policy

BY SCIENCE NEWS STAFF 20 JUN 2024 

5. Could super-Earths or mini-Neptunes host life among the stars?

As the hunt for habitable Earth-like planets stalls, astronomers are turning to bigger worlds

BY DANIEL CLERY 20 JUN 2024 

6. Meet the world’s first known jumping leech … if you dare

Footage from Madagascar confirms rumored acrobatic skills in at least one species

BY SEAN CUMMINGS 20 JUN 2024 

7. This strange dinosaur with bladelike horns roamed ancient Montana

Newly described Lokiceratops rangiformis boasted an ornate frill unlike that of any other horned dinosaur—but some scientists doubt that it is a novel species

BY RODRIGO PÉREZ ORTEGA 20 JUN 2024 

8. Climate change could make fungi more dangerous

Higher temperatures may trigger mutations that cause more aggressive growth or drug resistance

BY KAI KUPFERSCHMIDT 19 JUN 2024 

9. Ancient family burial tells story of migration that reshaped Europe

DNA from 4500-year-old grave captures moment when herders from the steppes of Ukraine and Russia mixed with European farmers

BY ANDREW CURRY 19 JUN 2024 

10. Is your AI hallucinating? New approach can tell when chatbots make things up

Second AI that acts as “truth cop” could provide the reliability models need for rollout in health care, education, and other fields

BY PAKINAM AMER 19 JUN 2024 

11. Astronomers witness ravenous black hole lighting up the center of a galaxy

Phenomenon may give clues to how galaxies evolve and black holes grow

BY DANIEL CLERY 18 JUN 2024 

12. Ancient earthquake likely rerouted the Ganges River

Discovery of new seismic concern stokes flooding fear for the densely populated delta region

BY ELI KINTISCH 17 JUN 2024 

13. ‘Gold mine’ of century-old wheat varieties could help breeders restore long lost traits

Historic traits could make modern wheat more resilient to disease and other stressors

BY ERIK STOKSTAD 17 JUN 2024