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Love is in the (chilly) air, keeping florists, romantics, and would-be poets busy. Admittedly, the true origins of ValentineÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s DayÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”replete with scandal, violence, and goreÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”remain a bit murky with a few rivaling origin stories. The most likely, however, involves the ancient festival of Lupercalia, a raucous, wine-fueled fertility rite in which Romans partied hard and paired off. HereÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s a tamer cross section of hearty research, endearing stories, and moving moments from across the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”sent your way with lots of love.

The science of love and relationships 🔬

Looking for a match made in heavenÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”or online? Science says stay grounded

Rochester psychologist and relationship expert Harry Reis has pointers on how to find and foster love, including how to get the most out of online dating.

The Price of Flirting

Picture this: YouÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™re at a bar when someone starts hitting shamelessly on your spouse or significant other, who doesnÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™t flirt back. As the scene unfolds, your base instincts kick inÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”annoyance, anger, jealousyÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”followed by a greater desire for your partner. Right? Nope. Instead, the researchers discovered a surprising twist.

LOVE IN THE ICE AGE

Modern humans and Neanderthals had a fling or two. About 40,000 to 60,000 years ago, modern humans left Africa, encountering Neanderthals on the way, and, well, got cozy by the fire. And guess whatÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”you may be the living proof: the gene flow between Neanderthals and modern humans means that today most non-Africans carry one to two percent Neanderthal DNA.

THE BIRDS AND THE BEES. AND, YES, THE WORMS.

Not all nematodes are the same. Take it from male roundworms: They are really picky when it comes to choosing their tiny mates. According to at the , male worms do not mate indiscriminately but rather are selective about their intended mateÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s age, mating history, and nutrition. The findings move us closer to solving the genetic mysteries behind the biology of attractionÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”from worms to humans.

Putting the ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½˜artÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™ in ValentineÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s hearts 🎨

Venus and Cupid

You probably know your Roman mythology and the story of Venus, goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, and her son Cupid, god of desire and attraction. But did you know that the UniversityÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s has its own ?

Painted around 1732 by who worked primarily for Madame de Pompadour, famous mistress to Louis XVÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½”the Venus and Cupid has been part of the collection at the MAG since 1950.

I Got It Bad

ÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½œWhen heÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s gone IÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™m cloudy with showers,” sings , an associate professor of jazz voice at the Eastman School of Music, performing I Got It Bad (And That AinÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™t Good) at EastmanÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s 2023 Convocation. Gazarek herself has nothing to be blue about as a for best arrangement, instruments, and vocals.

PUT IT IN WRITING

While Valentine cards represent love, affection, and friendship, they can also open a historical window into societyÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s mores, interests, and predilections. at mid-20th century American greeting cards and valentine images from the (RBSCP) at the .

Intimacy directing is making a difference on stage and beyond

Wonder what it takes to create intimate scenes in movies and on stage, while ensuring that actors feeling safe? Learn more about the field of intimacy direction, coordination, and choreography that began informally about 10 to 15 years ago.

Share your love of reading with a child

Literacy expert , the Sheila Konar Professor and director of the  at the UniversityÌÇÐÄ´«Ã½™s , leads a monthlong social media campaign to promote the to boost literacy. Throughout February, go ahead and post about reading with someone special, your favorite book, or your favorite place to read on your social media using the hashtag #Read4Luv.