Sports2 min readAI

Humans Kiss, Play Games, and Fall for AI Romance?

Romance, science, and technology were all in the news on February 15, 2026, with stories ranging from the evolutionary biology of kissing to the rise of AI romance scams. Experts explored the reasons behind human behaviors and the potential pitfalls of emerging technologies.

An evolutionary biologist at the University of Oxford, Matilda Brindle, explained the science behind kissing, according to NPR News. Meanwhile, Vox reported on the increasing prevalence of AI romance scams, which cost Americans $3 billion last year, a figure likely undercounted due to victims' reluctance to report such incidents. Shayna Korol, a Future Perfect fellow at Vox, highlighted the surge in these scams, particularly around Valentine's Day.

Elsewhere, the field of exoplanet science continued to advance. Phys.org reported on the EXCITE mission, a balloon mission being prepared to launch above New Mexico, which aims to study the atmospheres of exoplanets. The James Webb Space Telescope has also been used to study exoplanet atmospheres, but time on the telescope is valuable.

In other news, Vox also explored the reasons people love playing games. Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen, in his book "The Score," argued that games offer insight into human agency, showing how people choose goals and submit to constraints.

Finally, Vox also examined the popularity of Internal Family Systems therapy, a therapy style that, despite its scientifically shaky foundation, seems to be working for many.

AI-Assisted Journalism

Synthesized from multiple sources. Reviewed for accuracy.

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