Daily briefing: The centre of our Galaxy might not be a black hole

Nature

by Flora Graham

February 14, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The center of our galaxy might not be a black hole after all. Astrophysicists are suggesting it could instead be a vast, diffuse cloud of fermionic dark matter. This hypothesis aligns with observations from 2022, including wear-and-tear patterns on ancient game stones and the need for better data to confirm this theory. If true, this could revolutionize our understanding of how galaxies behave. Meanwhile, researchers have cracked the rules of an ancient Roman board game found in Coriovallum, now Heerlen in the Netherlands. By simulating thousands of turns and analyzing wear marks on the stone artifact, they identified it as a blocking game called Ludus Coriovalli. This discovery offers insight into Roman culture and gaming mechanics. In another study, young chacma baboons were observed exhibiting sibling rivalry when their mother was grooming one of her other offspring. The monkeys used tactics like tantrums, physical interference, and tricks to distract their siblings from getting attention. This behavior suggests that jealousy may have deeper evolutionary roots than previously thought. For expectant individuals, the safety and effectiveness of many medications remain uncertain because drug trials rarely include pregnant participants. Only 1% of U.S. trials explicitly involve pregnant people, leaving critical gaps in medical knowledge. Researchers are pushing for more inclusive trial designs to address this gap. Finally, peace-building efforts should take priority over economic development when it comes to aid, according to economist Rabah Arezki. His research shows that while economic growth barely affects conflict intensity, long-lasting effects of war on development goals are significant. By investing in scientific approaches to assess and prevent conflicts before they escalate, the aid industry can achieve more sustainable outcomes. These discoveries highlight how science continues to uncover new insights about our universe, animal behavior, and human health, making them essential reading for anyone interested in advancing knowledge and addressing global challenges.

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Originally published on Nature on 2/14/2026