Technology News

If you own a cat, you have undoubtedly noticed your cat’s strong attraction to tuna. Scientists wanted to know what made this food so appealing because cats have a completely different sense of taste than humans. For example, their sweet taste receptor gene is disrupted and they have fewer bitter taste receptors than we do.

In their study published in the journal Chemical Sense, the researchers discovered that cats, like humans, use taste receptors that detect umami (also called monosodium glutamate) – this is a fifth base taste that translates to “tasty”, just like sweet, sour, bitter and salty.

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But unlike human umami receptors, cats’ umami receptors bind to two chemicals that are found in particularly high concentrations in tuna, making this fish all the juicier for our furballs.

Different mechanisms than in humans

IN PICTURES These little-known cat species

For their study, the researchers showed for the first time that cats express the umami-related Tas1r1 gene in their taste buds. This, in conjunction with the Tas1r3 gene, enables the detection of umami. Scientists already knew that cats have TAs1r3 activity, but were unsure about Tas1r1.

But in cats, “the binding sites for glutamic and aspartic acid—the two amino acids most responsible for the human umami experience—have mutated, we learn. Unlike in humans, amino acids do not bind exclusively to the cat’s umami receptor. Instead, nucleotides found in meat and yeast bind to the cat’s receptor, and amino acids such as glutamic and aspartic acid can then have an amplifying effect – on the cat’s umami receptor. “The opposite of what happens in humans.”

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Since tuna contains the nucleotide inosine monophosphate and large amounts of the amino acid L-histidine, both powerful umami activators, this explains why this fish is so popular with cats. “The L-histidine content of tuna is much higher than that of other fish species and meat sources,” confirmed lead study author Scott McGrane.

These results were tested on a group of 25 cats. The team placed a series of bowls of water containing varying amounts of amino acids and nucleotides as well as control water in front of the cats.

These showed a strong preference for combinations that most strongly activated their umami receptors, “suggesting that taste is a key factor in cats’ food intake,” the study authors conclude.

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On the same topic:

⋙ Who is the Toyger cat, a real miniature tiger?

⋙ Who is the Russian blue magnificent cat from cold countries?

⋙ What should I do if my cat or dog is stung by a wasp?

Google unveils the new Android logo with two notable changes: a Bugdroid transformed into 3D, while the “Android” brand is now officially “Android.”

“Be open, iterative and inclusive.” This is the ethic that Google wants to promote for its Android operating system. So while we are still waiting for the stable version of Android 14, the Mountain View company is introducing a new visual identity for its operating system, installed on three billion smartphones and devices of all kinds around the world. In short, Android has a new logo and brings it to your attention.

On the agenda is a Bugdroid with a new look and the Android brand, which is no longer spelled quite like that. Note that Android has also been gifted with the introduction of some promising new features.

Why Android becomes Android

According to the Google teams, creating this new identity was a lot of fun, but what actually changes? The new Android logo is inspired by Material Design. As a reminder, these are the aesthetic rules that the American giant imposes on itself to define the look of its operating system. The famous material you focused on personalization is a derivative.

But that’s not all… Google is adding a capital letter to the official Android logo! Yes, we are a bit sarcastic, which is quite ironic for a medium that has been called Frandroid and no longer FrAndroid since 2019. Furthermore, there is a real explanation for this choice.

With this update, you’ll notice some subtle changes that help tie Android to Google. Not only are we eliminating the lower case of “android,” but we are enhancing the Android logo by capitalizing the A, thereby adding weight to its appearance when placed next to the Google logo. Although we’ve added curves and personality that are unique to Android, the new Android design better reflects the Google logo and strikes a balance between the two. We hope these small but important updates to the Android font will better communicate the relationship between Android devices and the Google apps and services that users already know.

This passage from the blog post has more meaning than you think. Google clearly shows its ambition to put its own name in the foreground. We already had Android Messages, now known as Google Messages. The same goes for Android Pay, which became Google Pay and then Google Wallet. Let’s also remember that on the connected watch side, Android Wear has disappeared in favor of Wear OS by Google (its full name).

You will have understood, so it is not surprising that the identity of Android itself is becoming closer to that of Google, as the latter is increasingly coming to the fore.

A 3D bug droid

“Today we’re giving the most recognizable non-human member of our Android community an all-new 3D look,” the statement said. Yes, the Bugdroid changes appearance and takes shape.

“As a visual symbol of our brand, we wanted Bugdroid to be as dynamic as Android itself. We also modernized the appearance of the entire robot body so that it can easily transition from a digital to a real environment, making it a versatile and reliable companion, regardless of channel, platform or context.

This new visual identity will be available on Android devices “and in more places” by the end of the year, Google promises.

Do you use Google News (news in France)? You can follow your favorite media. Follow Frandroid on Google News (and ).

WordPad was first released 28 years ago with the Windows 95 operating system. The tool allows you to read files in .rtf, .docx, .odt or even .txt format. However, it does not have features such as correcting spelling errors or footnotes.

WordPad’s demise isn’t a surprise, Microsoft hasn’t paid it much attention in over a decade. The most recent notable update dates back to the introduction of Windows 8 in 2012. Another sign: Since 2020, PC owners have also been able to uninstall the application from their computer, which was not possible before.

Replaced by Word

The web giant now recommends (new window) using its paid software Microsoft Word, which has a more comprehensive range of functions. However, purchasing a license for this tool is not suitable for every budget; the personal version, which also includes other software from the Microsoft 365 suite (PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), costs $70 per year.

Otherwise, the WIndows Notepad tool for plain text documents (.txt) can also be a solution. The company also recently added new features to this software including automatic backup and automatic restore of tabs launched on Windows 11.

It seems that this year Microsoft has set out to clean up some of its tools that are considered outdated. The voice assistant application Cortana, for example, will be taken offline by the end of the year (new window).

Experts assume that Microsoft will launch the next version of its Windows 12 operating system software in 2024.

The basic word processing software WordPad, which was offered free on the PC for nearly 30 years, will no longer receive updates and will no longer be available in future versions of Windows, according to a support note from Microsoft.

WordPad was first released 28 years ago with the Windows 95 operating system. The tool allows you to read files in .rtf, .docx, .odt or even .txt format. However, it does not have features such as correcting spelling errors or footnotes.

WordPad’s demise isn’t a surprise, Microsoft hasn’t paid it much attention in over a decade. The most recent notable update dates back to the introduction of Windows 8 in 2012. Another sign: Since 2020, PC owners have also been able to uninstall the application from their computer, which was not possible before.

Replaced by Word

The web giant now recommends (New window) using its paid software Microsoft Word, which has a more comprehensive range of functions. However, purchasing a license for this tool is not suitable for every budget; the personal version, which also includes other software from the Microsoft 365 suite (PowerPoint, Excel, etc.), costs $70 per year.

Otherwise, the WIndows Notepad tool for plain text documents (.txt) can also be a solution. The company also recently added new features to this software including automatic backup and automatic restore of tabs launched on Windows 11.

It seems that this year Microsoft has set out to clean up some of its tools that are considered outdated. The voice assistant application Cortana, for example, will be phased out by the end of the year.

Experts assume that Microsoft will launch the next version of its Windows 12 operating system software in 2024.

With information from Le Monde, The Verge and Mashable

Who has never dreamed of being able to navigate the cosmos by looking at the sky to answer some of the biggest existential questions?

Since the beginning of May, “Space Explorers: L’INFINI” gives you access to the first-ever spacewalk filmed in space and immerses you in the middle of the International Space Station (ISS)… And all without having to move a foot from the Earth! With an extension of the exhibition planned for the fall, the editors of atuvu.ca tell you about their exploration of the immersive experience!

An educational mission

Inspired by NASA missions, the exhibition was designed by Felix & Paul Studio and Studio Phi to allow us, thanks to virtual reality, to be part of the daily life of the astronauts who flew to the ISS. To promote knowledge, curiosity and science, the astronauts documented the station’s interior and exterior using a state-of-the-art camera [pour les connaisseurs: une caméra Z-Cam V1 Pro, équipée de neuf capteurs 4K]. Capturing these images opens up new and breathtaking views of Earth that only astronauts could experience!

Together with several visitors and equipped with a VR headset (360°), we are invited to orbit the famous ISS to meet the scientists on mission [nous pouvons également en sortir pour avoir de plus belles vues de la Terre].

As a prelude to this experience, we learn about the various astronauts who will be keeping us company. Among them we find the Quebec astronaut David Saint-Jacques (ASC) and Christina Hammock Koch (NASA), the astronaut who broke the record for the longest continuous space flight by a woman (328 days)!

The immersive experience takes place in four chapters and helps us better understand the astronauts’ goals and challenges. Driven by scientific progress and transmission, they are all in search of answers: the origin of our universe, the meaning of human existence, the possibility of living somewhere else…

With temporary visitors (around 1 hour) in space, we are well placed to thank the technological advances that encourage them. The gesture of delivery is beautiful; From there, they decided to capture images of their daily lives and open a new window on the cosmos. A life where banality becomes confusing: we meet an astronaut waking up from his nap (standing?), a scientist trying to cut her apples (flying?), and two astronauts trying to play ball (In slow motion?). Small, deeply human acts, insignificant on Earth but vital to the crew, limited to hundreds of days.

A contemplative mission

If we are lucky enough to meet the crew at this extraordinary workplace, the device is calculated to allow us to overcome the laws of physics to the end. Always equipped with our helmet, we can traverse the walls of the ISS and take a more contemplative view of Earth. Outside the spatial closure, we allow ourselves to be carried away by the infinity that surrounds us; We float above our planet, beyond our daily worries. A perspective that invites us to rethink our own vision of the planet and the life forms that exist there.

A reconnaissance mission

Floating in space is not just about putting our earthly lives on hold, but also about becoming aware of the immensity of the universe and the preciousness of planet Earth within it. And although we can’t see it with the naked eye (behind our VR screens), the astronauts evoke the signs of the planet’s ecological deterioration: air pollution that prevents us from seeing certain places, the observation of glaciers melting, and the Pollution of rivers, etc. The splendor of the images of the earth gives weight to her words and doubles the feeling of wanting to care for her.

For its part, Chapter IV is dedicated to the future of aerospace: a future that aims to be much more environmentally conscious than in the past.

“Today we can still see the footprints on the moon. »

The astronauts’ reflections show an evolution in the approach to space discovery: it is no longer about going into space unconsciously, but rather about finding new ways to approach our future in the infinity of the universe that does not simply lead the human trail rhyme with “damage” and “waste”. In other words, to find a way to achieve scientific progress for the benefit of terrestrial and EXTRA-terrestrial ecology.

When you board Space Explorers: INFINITY, you will discover magnificent images supported by an educational and conscious discourse that will introduce you to extraterrestrial exploration and make you take a step back from your own existence.

To participate in space exploration, click here. And to our delight, the immersive exhibition has announced its extension through the fall in Montreal’s Old Port!

Winter is the time of year when we need the most protection from freezing cold and bad weather. And what’s better than a good winter coat to keep us warm while remaining elegant? Because the market offers so many options, it can be difficult to find the perfect model. Here are some features you should consider to make the right choice.

High quality thermal insulation

Clothing insulation keeps you warm by retaining body heat and keeping out the cold. Insulating materials such as down, polyester and wool are often used to make winter coats or warm women’s ski coats. Down is particularly valued because of its lightness and its great heat storage capacity. Therefore, make sure the coat provides enough insulation for the winter conditions in your region.

Waterproof and wind resistance

A good winter coat should be water and wind resistant. In cold weather it is also important that it protects you from rain, snow or showers. Models with waterproof coatings such as Gore-Tex are very popular because they repel moisture while still allowing the body to breathe. Likewise, a good coat should be designed to keep out drafts.

Adjustable hood and fleece lining

An adjustable hood is an essential part of a good winter jacket as it protects your head and face from the bitter cold and various outdoor elements. With drawstrings you can adjust it according to your wishes. A fleece lining in the hood also provides additional warmth and comfort, so you stay warm even when temperatures drop significantly.

Practical pockets and storage space

When wearing a winter coat, you often need to store various items such as gloves, hats, keys or a phone. Spacious and well-placed pockets are therefore a significant advantage. Choose a style with zippered or flap pockets to keep your belongings safe and within easy reach. Some even have fleece-lined pockets to keep your hands warm.

Cut and style adapted to your body shape

In addition to all the technical characteristics, it is important that the coat adapts well to your body shape and matches your clothing style. Winter coats come in a variety of cuts and lengths, from parkas to three-quarter length coats to duffle coats.

So choose a cut that flatters your figure and allows you to wear multiple layers of clothing underneath if necessary. Also, choose a color that suits your style and can be worn with different outfits.

Microsoft is betting heavily behind this release on the success of this game, which is available on its Xbox Series console and on PC.

The role-playing game set in a science fiction universe was developed by the Bethesda studio, which the American giant acquired in 2020 as part of a total investment of around $ 7.5 billion in order to compete with the Japanese Sony PlayStation.

But Microsoft doesn’t want to stop there and is negotiating the purchase of another major studio, Activision Blizzard, which particularly has Call of Duty in its catalog, for $75 billion.

The expectations surrounding Starfield have increased again after the good reviews from the trade press. An average score of 88/100 was posted on the aggregator Metacritic on Tuesday.

Reviews recall cult sagas such as Star Trek, Star Wars and Blade Runner and emphasize that the game has an epic dimension, with an interesting story and a successful combat system.

“Interactive Films”

These features make these games real “interactive films,” emphasizes Simon Little, the head of Video Games Europe, an organization that brings together European developers.

Other recent games go in the same direction, such as Hogwarts Legacy, developed by the teams at Avalanche Software, owned by producer Warner Bros., which delves into the world of Harry Potter, and Baldur’s Gate 3, a role-playing game from Larian Studios. The latter achieved a score of 96/100 on Metacritic in its PC version. The PlayStation 5 adaptation launches on Wednesday, the same day as Starfield.

In addition to purchasing Starfield individually for around 70 euros (102 CAD), access is also possible via Game Pass, Microsoft’s online game library, whose subscription starts at 9.99 euros (14.60 CAD) per month.

With this distribution method, the American group hopes to benefit from recurring revenue by encouraging players to remain subscribers thanks to updates or the launch of new productions.

“Arouse curiosity”

“Unlike a book or a film, which is written, finished and nothing else, a video game is actually never quite finished,” explains Simon Little. “It is always being reinforced, modified, expanded, just to stimulate the curiosity and interest of the participants to continue the game.”

The Bethesda studio has already launched numerous games whose universe has gradually evolved, such as Skyrim, which is still just as popular twelve years after its release. In many ways, it served as a benchmark for Starfield.

“If you look at our Skyrim player count, let’s say in the last month, and how many millions of people have already played this game, you realize that this is not a game that is measured in hours spent playing it,” explained Bethesda Vice President Peter Hines last month.

The studio hopes that Starfield, which has more than 1,000 planets to explore, will have a significantly longer lifespan thanks to several updates, while the main story already takes several dozen hours.