Scientists discover mystery genes behind a cat's purr and behaviour
A new study from Kyoto University suggests that cats with a gene type associated with mixed breeds may purr more at their human companions.
The study, published in PLoS One, assessed the behavior of 280 spayed or neutered mixed-breed cats and analyzed their DNA, focusing on the androgen receptor gene.
Researchers found that cats with the short-type androgen receptor gene showed higher owner-assessed purring, while male cats with this gene exhibited higher vocalization towards humans.
Female cats with the short-type gene displayed higher stranger-directed aggression, and mixed-breed cats and rescues tended to meow more, contrasting with pure-breed cats who are more likely to carry the long-type gene.
The findings suggest that longer androgen receptor genes in domestic cats may have emerged due to domestication and selective breeding, potentially helping predict house cat behavioral tendencies and enhance feline care.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Geeky Gadgets
3 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic: What to Expect
Samsung is preparing to unveil the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic at its highly anticipated Galaxy Unpacked event. While the smartwatch does not introduce innovative hardware changes, it focuses on refining its design, enhancing software capabilities, and improving the overall user experience. By building on the strengths of its predecessors, Samsung aims to solidify the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's position in the competitive wearable market. This approach highlights the company's commitment to delivering a polished and reliable product that caters to the needs of modern users. Watch this video on YouTube. Processor: Proven Performance with Reliability The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic retains the Exynos W1000 processor, a chipset already featured in its predecessor. Built on a 3nm process, this 5-core CPU offers a balance of reliable performance and energy efficiency. While some users may have anticipated a new processor, the Exynos W1000 remains a dependable choice for everyday tasks such as fitness tracking, managing notifications, and running apps. Its efficient design ensures smooth operation without compromising battery life, which is a critical factor for wearable devices. By sticking with a proven processor, Samsung prioritizes stability and consistency over unnecessary hardware changes. Software: One UI 8 Watch Enhances Usability and Personalization One of the standout updates in the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic is the introduction of One UI 8 Watch, Samsung's latest software tailored for wearables. This update brings a host of new features designed to enhance usability and personalization, making the smartwatch more intuitive and user-friendly. Key enhancements include: New app tiles for quick access to essential tools like the calculator, voice recorder, and Galaxy Buds controller. A dedicated shortcut for launching the voice recorder app via the side button, improving accessibility. A Material You-inspired design that offers a modern, cohesive, and customizable interface. These updates streamline navigation and align with broader trends in user interface design, emphasizing simplicity and expressiveness. For users, this means a more intuitive and engaging experience, allowing them to tailor the smartwatch to their preferences while enjoying seamless functionality. Design: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic introduces a hybrid square-circular design, combining traditional round watch elements with modern angular aesthetics. This subtle evolution in design aims to appeal to a broader audience by balancing classic elegance with contemporary style. The watch maintains its premium build quality, featuring durable materials and a refined finish that underscores Samsung's attention to detail. While the changes are not dramatic, they reflect a thoughtful approach to design, making sure the smartwatch remains visually appealing without losing its distinctive identity. This blend of tradition and modernity positions the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic as a versatile accessory suitable for various occasions. Battery and Charging: Small but Meaningful Gains The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic offers modest improvements in battery life, allowing users to rely on the device for longer periods without frequent recharging. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for those who use their smartwatch extensively throughout the day. However, the device retains its 10W charging capability, which, while functional, lags behind the faster charging technologies available in some competing devices. For users who prioritize convenience, this may be a consideration. Nevertheless, the improved battery efficiency helps offset the slower charging speed, making sure the smartwatch remains practical for everyday use. Integration and Ecosystem: Seamless Connectivity Across Devices Samsung continues to strengthen its ecosystem by enhancing the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic's integration with other Galaxy devices. Features such as the Galaxy Buds controller allow users to manage audio settings directly from the watch, showcasing the smartwatch's role as a central hub for device connectivity. This seamless integration highlights Samsung's focus on creating a unified experience across its product lineup. For Galaxy device owners, the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic becomes a valuable companion, offering effortless connectivity and functionality that enhances the overall user experience. Launch Context: A Strategic Addition to Samsung's Ecosystem The Galaxy Watch 8 Classic will debut alongside other flagship devices, including the Galaxy Watch Ultra, Z Fold 7, and Z Flip 7, at the Galaxy Unpacked event. This coordinated launch positions the smartwatch as part of a broader ecosystem of premium products, showcasing Samsung's commitment to innovation across multiple categories. By introducing the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic within this context, Samsung emphasizes its strategy of delivering interconnected devices that work seamlessly together, appealing to users who value a cohesive and integrated tech experience. Refinement Over Revolution The Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic represents a thoughtful evolution of the smartwatch lineup, focusing on software enhancements, design refinements, and ecosystem integration. While the absence of significant hardware upgrades may not satisfy those seeking innovative advancements, the improvements in usability, personalization, and connectivity ensure the Galaxy Watch 8 Classic remains a compelling option. By prioritizing user experience and maintaining a balance between tradition and modernity, Samsung has crafted a smartwatch that caters to the needs of both loyal customers and new users looking for a reliable and stylish wearable. Here are more detailed guides and articles that you may find helpful on Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 Classic. Source & Image Credit: Demon's Tech Filed Under: Android News, Gadgets News, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
BreakingNews.ie
4 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Mehak Kansal's chicken or paneer makhani recipe
'This is the recipe that put Bindas on the map. It is our best-selling and most sought-after curry: butter chicken,' says food writer and cookery book author, Mehak Kansal. 'A truly decadent, creamy, herby, slightly spicy, slightly sweet curry made with cream and tomatoes. I am sure there will be a permanent fold or bookmark kept on this page. You can use chicken or paneer for this recipe.' Ingredients: (Serves 4-6) 700g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces, or 600g paneer, cut into cubes Handful of coriander, chopped, to serve (optional) Advertisement For the marinade: 2tbsp Greek-style yoghurt 2tbsp ghee, melted 1tbsp garlic purée 1tbsp ginger purée 1tsp tomato paste (concentrated purée) 1½tsp ground cumin 1tsp ground turmeric 1tsp garam masala 1tbsp chilli powder 1tsp salt For the makhani sauce: 3–4tbsp ghee 1 onion, finely chopped 2 green bird's-eye chillies, finely chopped 2tbsp garlic purée 2tbsp ginger purée 1½tsp ground cumin 1tsp ground coriander 1½tsp ground turmeric 1tsp chilli powder 1tsp ground green cardamom 1½tsp garam masala 1–2tsp salt, according to taste 200g canned plum tomatoes, puréed 1½tsp caster sugar 300ml double (heavy) cream, plus extra to serve 3tsp kasoori methi (dried fenugreek leaves) Mehak Kansal's chicken or paneer makhani (Sam Folan 2025/PA) Method: 1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a large bowl. Add the chicken or paneer to the marinade and stir to coat. Leave to marinate in the refrigerator for at least two hours, preferably overnight. 2. Preheat the oven to 175°C (330°F/gas mark 3–5). Line a baking tray with foil. 3. Transfer the marinated chicken or paneer to the prepared tray and roast for 25–30 minutes until tender – do not overcook. 4. Meanwhile, prepare the makhani sauce. Heat the ghee in a large, heavy-based saucepan over a medium–high heat. Add the onion, chillies, and garlic and ginger purées, and cook for five to seven minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is brown and caramelised. Advertisement 5. Add the ground spices and salt, along with the puréed tomatoes, and reduce the heat to medium–low. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, then stir in the sugar and reduce the heat to low. Allow the sauce to gently bubble for two minutes, then take the pan off the heat. 6. Use a hand blender to purée the sauce until nice and smooth, then return it to a medium heat. Cover and cook for five minutes, stirring every minute or so. Once the ghee starts rising to the surface, add in the cream, then crush the kasoori methi in your hands and sprinkle those in too. 7. Once the chicken or paneer is ready, add it to the sauce, along with six to seven tablespoons of the juices from the tray. Cook over a low heat for two minutes to combine, then transfer to a serving dish. Swirl in another tablespoon of cream, sprinkle over the coriander and enjoy. (Sam Folan 2025/PA) Bindas: Comfort Food with an Indian Soul by Mehak Kansal is published in hardback by Murdoch Books. Photography by Sam Folan. Available now.
Telegraph
11 hours ago
- Telegraph
China targets a new frontier in its bid to eclipse the West
For the world's leading cancer doctors and scientists, few events in the calendar are more prestigious than the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco). Each year, tens of thousands of top researchers gather to unveil pivotal scientific breakthroughs and new therapies that will shape the future of cancer care across the globe. The event has changed the way scientists view breast cancer, challenged views on colorectal cancer and offered novel ideas on how to help seriously ill patients. The discovery which everyone was speaking about last year was one made by a little-known biotech firm called Akeso. Its new lung cancer drug had achieved something 'unprecedented', its US partner Summit Therapeutics said on the eve of Asco. The new experimental drug 'decisively beat' Merck's blockbuster lung cancer treatment in clinical trials. The news came as a shock – not just because it challenged Merck's well-known dominance in lung cancer drugs, but because Akeso was Chinese. 'DeepSeek' moment For years, Asco's annual meeting has been dominated by American scientists. However, last year was different. It marked a watershed moment for the pharmaceutical sector, which had long written off China as a nation that excelled in drug manufacturing and 'copycat' treatments but not medicine discovery. Akeso's debut on the world stage has been described as a 'DeepSeek' moment for the industry – a reference to the sudden emergence of a highly advanced AI chatbot out of China earlier this year, which took US tech giants by surprise and wiped close to $1 trillion (£740bn) off global stock markets. Summit's shares are up more than 600pc since first announcing the lung cancer trial results. 'The two large innovators in our industry today are the US and China,' Sir Pascal Soriot, the boss of AstraZeneca, said in March. 'China is, I think over the next five to 10 years, going to emerge as really a driving force for innovation in our sector.' It sets the stage for a growing tussle between the US and China over the future of drug development. Donald Trump has been clear that he wants pharmaceutical giants to be investing more in America. Biopharmaceutical companies and their suppliers account for 4.9m jobs and are worth around $1.65 trillion to the US. However, drug companies are increasingly turning east when it comes to investing in new drugs and clinical trials. Not only is China becoming an easier place to research and create new drugs, but the Trump administration is also shaking faith in the US. Vaccine sceptic health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has prompted much anxiety in the industry. By contrast, China is 'very business friendly and stable' Novartis boss Vas Narasimhan said in May. Drugs boom Beijing has been attempting to win more pharma investment for years – and specifically attempting to boost funding for drug innovation. Drug discovery was a key pillar of the 'Healthy China 2030' strategy unveiled in 2016, aimed at helping the country cope with its ageing population. The focus has already paid dividends. Over the past three years alone, the number of Chinese drugs in development has doubled to 4,391. Almost half are either novel drugs or something known as a 'fast-follower', where treatments are quickly developed on the back of breakthroughs by rivals. According to Barclays, the number of so-called 'first-in-class' drugs under development in China rose to around 120 last year, having been in the single digits in 2015. First-in-class essentially measures the level of innovation by looking at the highest development stage a drug has reached and the earliest time it reached that stage. The growth in China is unmatched. While the US, which has long been regarded as the world leader in drug discovery, has more first-in-class drugs in development, at 151, the growth rate has been much slower. 'The shift isn't incremental, it's tectonic,' says Abhishek Jha, the founder of life sciences data company Elucidata. One crucial part of Beijing's push to drive more drug discovery has been speeding up clinical trials. In China, regulators allow businesses to get studies up and running quicker, and then update them as they progress. This can provide early data on new drugs, which is a major draw for multinational companies looking for novel treatments that show signs of working well. It has sparked a boom in studies taking place in China. According to figures from the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA), China accounted for around 18pc of clinical trials sponsored by companies in 2023 compared to just 5pc in 2013. Meanwhile, the US proportion has dipped from 28pc to 23pc. Clinical trial enrolment in China is surging, with around 40pc now having more than 100 participants. Bitter pill Fewer regulatory barriers are just one of a number of reasons pharma companies are turning to China. Workers, too, are less averse to working unsociable hours than they would be in Western nations. Shirley Chen, a Barclays analyst, says: 'Chinese scientists may be happier to accept very long work hours and people like hospital personnel [where trials take place] are actually okay to do night shifts.' Major drug giants are now scouring China for potential deals. The likes of GSK, AstraZeneca and Merck have all struck deals worth more than $1bn to get the rights to develop and sell Chinese drugs outside the country. The rise of China's pharmaceutical industry has started to raise alarm bells in the US. Trump may be focused on returning manufacturing jobs to the US, yet some say he should be concerned that more high-quality jobs and research posts are starting to drift to China. 'Five years ago, US pharmaceutical companies didn't license any new drugs from China,' Scott Gottlied, the former Food and Drug Administration commissioner, wrote earlier this month. 'By 2024, one third of their new compounds were coming from Chinese biotechnology firms.' He warned that the shift of clinical trials to Asia could undermine innovation in the US as companies choose to 'divert funds that might otherwise bolster innovation hubs such as Boston's Kendall Square or North Carolina's Research Triangle'. 'The US biotechnology industry was the world's envy, but if we're not careful, every drug could be made in China.' While Trump exempted most countries' pharmaceutical industries from tariffs in his 'liberation day' blitz, China was not spared. That means physically manufacturing drugs for the US in China is out of the question, for now at least. However, unless the US rights the ship, many of its treatments may well be designed in China in future. As pharmaceutical leaders made their way to the annual Asco meeting this week, the shifting power balance will no doubt be on attendees' minds. Industry chiefs may be congregating at a US research conference, but attention is turning to the east.
