News items read by Laura Kennedy include: <ul> <li>Environmental factors shaped genetic lineages of prehistoric Japan (<a href="https://phys.org/news/2026-02-genetic-analysis-reveals-alternative-explanation.html">details</a>) (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1537/ase.251024">details</a>)</li> <li>Experimental study confirms ancient Greeks could have safely brewed a psychoactive drink (<a href="https://greekreporter.com/2026/02/17/ancient-greeks-ergot-fungus-eleusinian-mysteries/">details</a>) (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-39568-3">details</a>)</li> <li>Newly discovered Venezuelan petroglyph is one of the oldest in the country (<a href="https://www.heritagedaily.com/2026/02/petroglyphs-found-in-monagas-are-8000-years-old/157025">details</a>)</li> <li>Novel dating techniques show Ubeidiya site is at least 1.9 million years old (<a href="https://phys.org/news/2026-02-key-africa-site-older-dating.html">details</a>)</li> </ul>