Imagine seeing cake in a virtual world, then tasting it. Researchers have taken a step toward that reality with a device that delivers virtual tastes by squirting chemicals onto the tongue.The system, called e-Taste, can detect chemicals in foodstuffs and wirelessly transmit this information to a device that delivers the same or equivalent chemicals to a users tongue. By combining different chemicals, the device can mimic flavors ranging from cake to coffee, researchers report February 28 in Science Advances.This is a step towards the next generation of human-machine interfaces and virtual reality, says materials engineer Yizhen Jia of Ohio State University.The system uses five edible chemicals: glucose for sweet, citric acid for sour, sodium chloride for salty, magnesium chloride for bitter and glutamate for savory umami. These chemicals are infused into gels inside the device, which get mixed in tiny channels. An electromagnetic pump delivers the mixture to the tongue via a flexible, ribbonlike conduit inserted into the mouth.To evaluate e-Taste, Jia and colleagues first had 10 participants distinguish between five intensities of sourness produced by the device. The researchers then created five complex tastes lemonade, cake, fried egg, fish soup and coffee based on their chemical compositions. Six participants were trained to recognize these flavors, achieving an overall accuracy of nearly 87 percent. Some tastes, such as lemonade and cake, were easier to identify than others, such as fried egg.Previous efforts have attempted to simulate taste through electrical stimulation of the tongue, but this method remains poorly understood. We dont have a hundred percent understanding of how the tongue and taste perception works, says Nimesha Ranasinghe, a computer scientist at the University of Maine in Orono who was not involved in the study. Taste and smell, being chemical sensors, are very challenging. Chemicals, for now, can reproduce a wider range of tastes than electrical stimulation.However, taste alone is not enough. Real coffee comes with the smells and feeling of coffee, Jia says. Only putting chemicals on your tongue isnt going to be comparable.To help bridge that gap, Jia and his colleagues are working to incorporate smell using gas sensors and machine learning. The team envisions applications in immersive gaming and even sensory rehabilitation, such as for individuals who lost their sense of taste due to COVID. Perhaps the biggest unknown is how willing people will be to wear a device that squirts chemicals onto their tongue. We are very reserved when it comes to putting anything inside our mouth, Ranasinghe says. The look, feel and comfort are really important. Its a major aspect of this people have to look into in future.

Nature, Published online: 26 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08565-9Emplacement of the north polar cap of Mars is investigated by combining viscoelastic deformation calculations and observations, showing that it formed over the last 1.712.0Myr atop a stiff lithosphere and high-viscosity mantle (1022 Pa s), and that glacial isostatic adjustment could be further constrained.

Nature, Published online: 26 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08614-xSymbiotic fungi control network-level structure and flows to meet trade demands.

Built by the Norwegian startup 1X, the Neo Gamma humanoid robot is designed to complete mundane household tasks.

Researchers have identified a giant flying squirrel fossil from a cache of unusual animal remains dug out of an ancient sinkhole in Tennessee 25 years ago. The fossil sheds light on how flying squirrels reached North America.

Dice Throne is a tabletop game that utilizes both dice and cards to pit heroes against each other in fast-paced turn-based combat, with additional options to face off in teams or have everyone band together in a cooperative adventure. It's a remarkably quick (and fun!) game to set up and play, making it an ideal choice for folks who don't have hours to devote each week to D&D, Pathfinder, or any system that similarly lends itself to a long-form adventure.The Dice Throne team is set to soon release its long-awaited X-Men expansion, injecting more Marvel heroes to fight alongside Dice Throne's largely original cast of characters. This is the second expansion to add licensed characters to the game--Dice Throne added a bunch of non-mutant Marvel characters like Thor and Black Panther to its roster in a previous add-on. Speaking to Dice Throne co-creator and lead game designer Nate Chatellier and CEO Casey Sershon, I asked how this "Magic: The Gathering meets Yahtzee" game approached adding licensed characters to a game and whether more IPs are being considered.Pyromancer was one of Dice Throne's first characters."When we started Dice Throne, I created this five-year plan," Chatellier told me. "I love long-term planning, and the plan back then was season one, season two, a solo and co-op mode--which ended up being Dice Throne Adventures--and then a Marvel edition. I thought it was a five-year plan, it took six years to do it, but we checked all the boxes, which I'm still very proud of. When we hit that Marvel edition, that was the end of the road map. It was like, 'Okay, where do we go from here and how do we feel about working with IP?'"Continue Reading at GameSpot

Disney Lorcana's next big expansion, Archazia's Island, is slated to release on March 21. The seventh Lorcana expansion features cuddly creatures from The Aristocrats, Lady and the Tramp, Lilo & Stitch, Bolt, and more Disney films. Archazia's Island will also introduce a new twist with Dual-Ink cards--characters who can utilize moves from two of the trading card game's six elements. You can preorder Disney Lorcana: Archazia's Island products at Amazon and Best Buy, including a $30 Gift Set featuring Lilo & Stitch, the $50 Illumineer's Trove bundle, starter decks, booster boxes, and more. See all upcoming Disney Lorcana products Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Gift Set $30 This gift set is packed with a variety of collectibles and accessories, along with plenty of new cards. The big ticket item is the Lilo - Escape Artist card, as the glimmer foil is bound to become the centerpiece of your deck. Youll also get five booster packs (60 cards) from previous sets like Rise of the Floodborn, Into the Inklands, Ursulas Return, Shimmering Skies, and Azurite Sea. The storage box holds up to 250 sleeved cards and three punch-out dividers, making it an affordable way to keep your new cards safe as you start your collection. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Starter Deck $17 Dont want the hassle of building your own deck? Pick up one of these Starter Decks to have a well-rounded set of cards that let you jump straight into battle. Along with 60 cards (including two foils), the Starter Deck includes 11 damage tokens, a rulebook, and a bonus booster pack of 12 random cards. As usual, there are two options, but this time each focuses on two ink types--Ruby and Sapphire or Amethyst and Steel--to show off the new Dual-Ink cards. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Illumineers Trove $50 Similar to the Pokemon TCG's Elite Trainer Boxes, Illumineer's Trove offers a sampler platter of the new Lorcana cards for $50. Here's what you get with this box set:8 booster packs (12 cards each)1 card storage box6 card dividers6 damage-counter dice1 lore counterUnlike the Gift Set, which features boosters from past expansions, these boosters are from the Archazias Island expansion. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Booster Pack Display (24 Packs) $135.63 (was $144) Stock up on cards with ease, as the Booster Pack Display lets you unwrap 24 booster packs--each containing 12 cards from Archazias Island expansion. The 12 cards in each pack break down as follows:6 Common3 Uncommon2 Rare, Super Rare, or Legendary1 Random FoilYou wont get any accessories or a storage box, but this is undoubtedly the best way to load up on cards as fast as possible. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Booster Pack $6 Individual booster packs can also be purchased. These contain 12 cards each, and theyre a much more frugal option than the massive Booster Pack Display. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Deck Box $6 Keep 80 sleeved cards safe in one of these stylish deck boxes. The compact design is ideal for travel, and the custom artwork makes it a cool way to store your collection if you're a big fan of Cinderella or Ursula. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Card Sleeves $10 Pair your deck box with these card sleeves. Each pack includes 65 matte-finish sleeves, which are designed to protect your cards from fingerprints and glare. Like the deck boxes, the sleeves are themed around Ursula and Cinderella. Preorder at Amazon Preorder at Best Buy Disney Lorcana - Archazias Island Playmat $20 Two new playmats featuring Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and Big Hero Six are available to preorder for $20. These mats give you a comfortable playing surface and ensure your cards don't get damaged from rough surfaces. Preorder at Best Buy A bunch of other Lorcana cards and accessories are on sale at Amazon--give them a look if you want to round out your collection. Theres also a fun cooperative game up for grabs thats set in the Lorcana universe, though it can also be played solo if your usual game night partner is busy.Best Disney Lorcana TCG Deals at AmazonUrsulas Return Booster Pack Display (24 Packs) -- $85.41 ($144)Azurite Sea Booster Pack Display (24 Packs) -- $116 ($144)Illumineers Quest: Deep Trouble - Cooperative Adventure Game -- $51.24 ($60)Azurite Sea: Stitch Collectors Gift Set -- $36.45 ($50)Azurite Sea Illumineers Trove -- $35 ($50)Ursulas Return Illumineers Trove -- $42 ($50)More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders The Biggest Upcoming Games That You Can Preorder Now SanDisk 1.5TB MicroSD Card Is Steeply Discounted At Amazon - Expand Your Steam Deck Storage Xbox Series X|S Owners Can Save Big On Western Digital's 1TB Expansion Card + Show More More Gaming, Tech, and Entertainment Deals & Preorders Links (5) Amazon-Exclusive Pokemon TCG Premium Collection Gets Huge Limited-Time Discount Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Limited Edition Steelbook Box Set Returns Next Month Nintendo Alarmo Now Available At Major Retailers - Mario Will Wake You Up For $100 New Nintendo Switch OLED Value Bundle Comes With Super Mario Bros. Wonder Final Fantasy X Magic: The Gathering Set Is Up For Preorder

When it comes to Jujutsu Kaisen, many people only pay attention to flashy abilities like Innate Cursed Techniques or Domain Expansion. But the world of Jujutsu is so much richer than that. There are lots of other techniques that a proper Jujutsu Sorcerer can add to their arsenal, such as barrier techniques, Reverse Cursed Techniques, shikigami, and various offensive techniques like Black Flash or fighting with Cursed Tools.

Though he first mistakes the pirates on Rich Island for a bunch of cosplayers, Goro Majima quickly becomes entangled in the pirate life himself. The conceit is at the very foundation ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's story, buttressing its gameplay in a way that consistently centers on what it means to be a pirate. Freedom on the open seas, searching for treasure, and engaging in cannon fights are just some aspects of the role, but what is most accentuated is community; no pirate can steer a ship without his crew, and as Majima quickly gains members who support his cause in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the stark contrast between his role and Kiryu's in LAD Gaiden becomes clear.

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download hereHey, everybody! Sid, ODell, Kristen, and Brett discuss some of the newest releases, including Monster Hunter Wilds and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1, and break down the official LEGO Horizon Adventures playset.Stuff We Talked AboutNext weeks release highlights:Suikoden I & II HD Remaster: Gate Rune and Dunan Unification Wars | PS5, PS4FragPunk | PS5Split Fiction | PS5Two Point Museum | PS5War Robots: Frontiers | PS5, PS4Eldrador Creatures: Shadowfall | PS5LEGO Horizon Adventures playsetGran Turismo 7 1.56 updateMidnight Murder Club early accessTerminator 2D: No Fate revealMonster Hunter Wilds post-launch roadmapIndia Hero Project BlogBloody BootsLokkoPlayStation Plus Monthly Games MarchDragon Age: The VeilguardSonic Colors: UltimateTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga CollectionSid Meiers Civilization VIILost Records: Bloom & RageMarvel RivalsMonster Hunter WildsThe CastView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageSid Shuman Senior Director of Content Communications, SIEView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageKristen Zitani Senior Content Communications Specialist, SIEView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageBrett Elston Manager, Content Communications, SIEView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageODell Harmon Jr. Content Communications Specialist, SIEThanks to Dormiln for our rad theme song and show music.[Editors note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]