logo
First Michelin-starred gourmet meal to be served in space in 2026

First Michelin-starred gourmet meal to be served in space in 2026

BBC News14 hours ago
When you think about the food that astronauts eat in space, you probably imagine freeze-dried or dehydrated food.But one lucky French astronaut has got a range of fancy meals to look forward to when she heads to the International Space Station (ISS) next year.Sophie Adenot has teamed up with one of the most award-winning chefs in the world to come up with a list of starters, mains and desserts to look forward to on her mission.They include lobster soup, shredded beef with garlic and coconut and vanilla rice pudding! So, we want to know what three course meal would YOU want to dine on in space? Let us know in the comments below.
What's happened?
According to the European Space Agency, food delivered to the International Space Station must meet strict rules. It cannot be crumbly or too heavy and it must also be able to be stored for two years.Astronauts have access to fresh fruit and vegetables but they are only available after a new spacecraft arrives from Earth with supplies.As a result, most meals in space are specially designed canned, vacuum-packed or freeze-dried food from a set list of options provided by space agencies.However, most of us have favourite foods that we look forward to eating, and astronauts are no exception.So to help them on their often long missions away from Earth, one out of every ten of their meals is prepared for each crew members according to their personal tastes.
French astronaut Sophie Adenot has teamed up with award-winning French chef Anne-Sophie Pic to create a special menu of tasty French meals that she will take with her to the ISS next year.The menu includes four starters, two main courses and two desserts.She will be choosing from the likes of onion soup with pink peppercorns and croutons, poultry with cheese polenta and chocolate cream with hazelnut flower.Adenot says that the specially prepared food not only allows astronauts to enjoy some home comforts, but is also a great way to make friends with the other astronauts on the space station.She explained: "During a mission, sharing our respective food is a way to invite our crewmates to discover more about our culture. It is a very special bonding moment for all of us and a welcome change in our day-to-day routine. "I have no doubt they will be as enthusiastic as I am when they get a chance to taste Anne-Sophie's dishes," Adenot added. Don't forget to let us know which foods you'd choose below!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Minister demands overhaul of UK's leading AI institute
Minister demands overhaul of UK's leading AI institute

The Guardian

time4 hours ago

  • The Guardian

Minister demands overhaul of UK's leading AI institute

The technology secretary has demanded an overhaul of the UK's leading artificial intelligence institute in a wide-ranging letter that calls for a switch in focus to defence and national security, as well as leadership changes. Peter Kyle said it was clear further action was needed to ensure the government-backed Alan Turing Institute met its full potential. In a letter to ATI's chair, seen by the Guardian, Kyle said the institute should be changed to prioritise defence, national security and 'sovereign capabilities' – a reference to nation states being able to control their own AI technology. The call for new priorities implies a downgrading of ATI's focus on health and the environment, which are two of three core subjects for the institute, alongside defence and security, under its 'Turing 2.0' strategy. 'Moving forward, defence and national security projects should form a core of ATI's activities, and relationships with the UK's security, defence, and intelligence communities should be strengthened accordingly,' Kyle wrote. Making clear that the Turing 2.0 strategy did not meet government requirements, Kyle indicated that he expected leadership changes at ATI. 'To realise this vision, it is imperative that the ATI's leadership reflects the institute's reformed focus,' he wrote in a letter first reported by Politico. 'While we acknowledge the success of the current leadership in delivering reform at the institute during a difficult period, careful consideration should be given to the importance of an executive team who possesses a relevant background and sector knowledge to lead this transition.' ATI is chaired by Doug Gurr, the former head of Amazon's UK operations and interim chair of the UK's competition watchdog. The institute is going through a restructuring under its chief executive, Jean Innes, which one in five staff have said puts ATI's credibility in 'serious jeopardy'. At the end of last year, ATI employed 440 staff, but it has since launched a redundancy process. Although the institute is nominally independent, it recently secured £100m from the government in a five-year funding deal. The letter said ATI's 'longer-term funding arrangement' could be reviewed next year. The government would maintain its current level of research and development from national security and defence for the next three years, Kyle wrote, and would increase the number of defence and national security staff embedded in the institute. Dame Wendy Hall, a professor of computer science at the University of Southampton and the co-chair of a 2017 government AI review, said ATI would cease to be a national institute under the government's proposed changes. 'If the institute focuses on defence and security it ceases to be a national institute on AI,' Hall said. 'It's not broad enough. If the government wants an AI institute that does defence and security then it should just call it that.' In February, the government indicated a focus on national security with its AI strategy by renaming its AI Safety Institute, established under the premiership of Rishi Sunak, the AI Security Institute. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion Kyle's letter also referred to the government's 50-point AI action plan as a 'testament' to the UK's AI ambitions, The plan's targets include a 20-fold increase in the amount of AI computing power under public control by 2030, and embedding AI in the public sector. A spokesperson for ATI said the institute was focused on 'high-impact missions' that support the UK including in defence and national security. 'We share the government's vision of AI transforming the UK for the better, welcome the recognition of our critical role, and will continue to work closely with the government to support its priorities and deliver science and innovation for the public good,' said the spokesperson. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology said the changes would be a 'natural next step' for ATI following the safety institute renaming. 'These proposed changes would not only ensure the Alan Turing Institute delivers real value for money – it would see it taking on a key role in safeguarding our national security,' said the spokesperson.

Mosquito-borne virus plagues holiday hotspots in the South of France
Mosquito-borne virus plagues holiday hotspots in the South of France

Telegraph

time11 hours ago

  • Telegraph

Mosquito-borne virus plagues holiday hotspots in the South of France

A mosquito-borne virus that causes debilitating joint pain and fever has begun to spread locally in holiday hotspots in the South of France. Some 712 imported cases of chikungunya were recorded between May 1 and July 1, leading to 14 locally-acquired infections in the same period, according to data from Santé publique France, the French public health agency. While the disease is routinely brought back to France by returning travellers, the number of imported cases reported this year is greater than the previous ten combined, largely because of a major outbreak on the French Indian Ocean territory of Réunion. Chikungunya is primarily spread by the Aedes mosquito (also known as the tiger mosquito) and cannot spread from person to person. But a mosquito can pick up the disease by feeding on an infected individual and then transmit it to new human hosts by biting them. Most of the locally-acquired cases appear to be clustered around Salon-de-Provence and La Crau, two towns on France's Mediterranean coast near Marseille, Toulon and Saint-Tropez. There have also been three locally-acquired cases reported on the island of Corsica and, for the first time, an indigenous case of the virus was reported in the Grand Est region, far to the North East. The high number of imported cases, coupled with the flurry of locally-acquired infections, has raised concerns among public health officials about the potential for the virus to spread more widely in mainland France. 'The occurrence of a first episode of indigenous transmission in the Grand Est region, combined with the precocity and number of episodes already detected, confirms the significant risk of indigenous transmission of chikungunya in mainland France, including in regions that have been free of the disease until now,' Santé publique France said in a statement. 'This is facilitated by the well-adapted nature of the strain of the virus circulating in Réunion and the Indian Ocean to the Aedes albopictus mosquito vector.' Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia, said: 'What is most worrying is that the 14 reported cases of chikungunya are spread over multiple departments, suggesting that local spread is already widespread in southern France.' France's public health agency has launched an investigation into the case in the Grand Est region, and has begun implementing containment measures in the worst-affected areas. 'This kind of thing, we know that it can happen but we never see it coming,' said Florence Brau, the mayor of Prades-le-Lez, a commune on the outskirts of Montpellier where insecticides were being used to suppress the local mosquito population and prevent further spread. 'For reasons of medical confidentiality and to avoid people coming to see how things were going, we were instructed not to say which areas were being treated for mosquitoes. The residents concerned received a letter in their mailboxes,' she told Midi Libre, a local newspaper. While chikungunya very rarely causes death, its symptoms are debilitating. They usually begin within a week of being bitten and can include a sudden high fever, fatigue, nausea, reddening of the eyes, sensitivity to light and a rash. But it owes its name, which comes from a word in the Kimakonde language spoken in southern Tanzania meaning 'to become contorted,' to the crippling joint pain it causes. The virus triggers an immune response that leads to inflammation in the joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness similar to rheumatoid arthritis that can persist for weeks, months and sometimes years after the initial infection. 'A state of exhaustion I've never experienced' Alain, a 73-year-old from Prades-le-Lez, is believed to be the second person to catch chikungunya locally in France this year. The retired civil engineer lived in Africa for 10 years and never caught anything, not even malaria. 'Two-and-a-half weeks ago, I came home from playing pétanque, had a shower, then started itching my knee,' he told Midi Libre. 'I looked and my leg had gone completely red. I told myself that I must've been bitten by a spider. And the following morning, I woke up in a state of exhaustion that I've never experienced.' Then the pain in his joints began to set in, and within days became so severe that he was unable to use his hands to open doors. 'I couldn't manage, for example, to bend my wrist to open doors. I had to use my elbow,' he said. While there is a vaccine available, there is no specific cure or antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Instead, treatment is focused on managing symptoms with rest, fluids, and painkillers. Alain's pain eventually subsided but he is still recovering from the virus. 'I'm very tired and I get out of breath quickly. This morning, I just walked down my street and I had to take a few pauses.' Residents of villages and towns across southeastern France have been ordered to take precautions to fight the spread of mosquitoes, including covering or emptying containers that could collect water, keeping pets indoors, covering swimming pools and closing windows. The health ministry is also urging locals to report sightings of tiger mosquitoes in their communities using an online tool, and to report suspected infections. While a vaccination campaign is underway on Réunion, there are currently no plans to launch a similar scheme in mainland France, The Telegraph understands. Several countries including France, the UK and the United States paused the use of Valneva's chikungunya vaccine among individuals 65 and older in May following reports of serious adverse events, including two deaths and hospitalisations, among the vaccinated on Réunion. As well as grappling with chikungunya, the French health authorities have also reported spikes in imported cases of dengue and Zika, two other tropical diseases spread by the tiger mosquito which is more commonly found in Asia, Africa and South America. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), climate change has helped create favourable conditions for the tiger mosquito to spread since it was first spotted in Europe in the late 1970s, making outbreaks of the diseases they carry more common. Dengue and chikungunya risk becoming endemic in Europe. In the worst-case climate scenarios, the spread of the two viruses could increase to five times the current rate by 2060, according to a recent ECDC study, with countries like Italy, France and Spain to be among those hit hardest. 'The last three years have seen a fairly rapid increase year on year of locally acquired dengue in France, Italy and Spain,' said Prof Hunter. 'We can expect to see increasing reports of both chikungunya and dengue fever from the Mediterranean area over the coming years.' Travellers to France are currently being advised to take the usual precautions to prevent bites from mosquitoes. 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya while travelling abroad,' Dr Hilary Kirkbride, the Head of Travel Health at the UK Health Security Agency, told The Telegraph. 'Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections.'

Which dog do YOU think is the cutest? Vets say our preference for breeds is changing - take the test to see if you agree
Which dog do YOU think is the cutest? Vets say our preference for breeds is changing - take the test to see if you agree

Daily Mail​

time12 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Which dog do YOU think is the cutest? Vets say our preference for breeds is changing - take the test to see if you agree

From tiny Corgis to chunky Rottweilers, man's best friend comes in all different shapes and sizes. But vets now say that Brits' preferences for pooches are shifting. New research from the Royal Veterinary College shows that people favour dogs with more pronounced muzzles, less bulging eyes, and longer tails. The researchers say this shows a growing movement away from the flat faces and short limbs that were once popular for fashionable breeds. Dr Rowena Packer, senior author of the paper, told MailOnline: 'For some time, preference has appeared to be for more extreme body shapes, which have been popularised and normalised in the media. 'However, this is the first evidence that the tide may be turning and the public now prefers less extreme body shapes.' Across all breeds, participants said that the less extreme body shapes were more attractive, healthier, and made them feel happier. So, which of the dogs do you think is the cutest? Take a look at the test below to see if you agree with the results. A new study suggests that taste in dogs is shifting away from more 'extreme' body shapes and towards healthier characteristics among flat-faced dogs such as pugs The study examined how people rated three different flat-faced, or brachycephalic, dog breeds: Pugs, English Bulldogs, and French Bulldogs. Almost 500 participants were shown AI-generated images depicting less extreme, super extreme, or typical versions of the three breeds. Participants were then asked to rate the dogs in five categories - perceived attractiveness, perceived health, the happiness induced by their appearance, the ethics of breeding, and the desire for ownership. The results revealed that the least extreme versions of the breeds were rated highest across all categories. Likewise, typical versions of the breeds were rated higher in all categories than the more extreme versions. Almost all participants in the study owned dogs of varying breeds, with just over a quarter owning flat-faced breeds. Owners of flat-faced breeds were consistently more positive about all the dogs, no matter how extreme. The researchers say this is likely due to dog owners showing a preference for dogs that look like their own. What are brachycephalic dogs? The word 'brachycephalic' means short or broad-headed. Examples include Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pekingese. Because of this extreme body shape, flat-faced dogs have a much higher risk of developing numerous painful illnesses and diseases. Health problems associated with brachycephaly include: Anatomical defects of the upper airway causing breathing difficulties often associated with overheating, sleep apnoea, and regurgitation Eye disease Inability to mate or give birth naturally Repeated skin infections Dental problems However, even these committed owners preferred the least extreme body shapes. This is good news for dog welfare campaigners who have been arguing for years that fashionable extreme breeding trends were leading to severe health issues. Dr Packer says: 'Extreme body shapes are created by artificial selection for genetic mutations. 'The consequent body shapes break natural biological limits for dogs and lead to a range of chronic, severe disorders that reduce quality of life and lifespan.' For example, flat faces make it harder for dogs to breathe, while short, curly tails are associated with spinal diseases and paralysis. The fact that the public is now starting to prefer more natural dogs might be a sign that campaigners' messages are starting to have an effect. Dr Paul Manktelow, Director of Veterinary Services at animal charity Blue Cross, says: 'At Blue Cross we see all too often how pets with extreme features suffer from painful conditions that often require costly surgery to treat. 'This study provides hope that it doesn't have to be this way.' Data from the Kennel Club suggests that registrations for pedigree flat-faced puppies have been falling over the last few years. However, a study published by the Royal Veterinary College last year found that French Bulldogs were the most popular breed for new owners, making up 7 per cent of all puppies under one year old in 2019. This reflects how stubborn preferences for these unhealthy breeds can be. Dr Packer's previous research found that health problems faced by flat-faced breeds, such as being unable to exercise due to skeletal issues, were normalised by their owners. One in seven flat-faced owners said 'nothing' could persuade them against getting an unhealthy dog. Likewise, many believed their dogs' 'laziness' was a highly desirable trait, despite this often being caused by breathing or musculoskeletal problems. Dr Packer says: 'Many breeders show resistance to changing the body shape of their breed. 'Given that breeders hold the power to make decisions over which types of dog are bred, and current legislation around extreme breeding is not enforced in the UK, the market is still dominated by extreme dogs, giving the public less choice to express their preferences when acquiring a puppy.' Researchers found that Britons consistently rated less extreme body shapes (dog 1 in the test samples) as more attractive, healthier, and more ethical to breed than more extreme versions In the future, Dr Packer says she would like to see standards changed to encourage less extreme breeds. These could include limits on how extreme a dog's physical traits can be, similar to laws imposed in the Netherlands. By restricting the extremes of dog breeding, the standard may shift back towards the preferences of most people and start to favour healthier shapes. 'Prioritising ethics and welfare in breeding over aesthetics is key for a happy, healthy future for dogs,' says Dr Packer. A genetic analysis of the world's oldest known dog remains revealed that dogs were domesticated in a single event by humans living in Eurasia, around 20,000 to 40,000 years ago. Dr Krishna Veeramah, an assistant professor in evolution at Stony Brook University, told MailOnline: 'The process of dog domestication would have been a very complex process, involving a number of generations where signature dog traits evolved gradually. 'The current hypothesis is that the domestication of dogs likely arose passively, with a population of wolves somewhere in the world living on the outskirts of hunter-gatherer camps feeding off refuse created by the humans. 'Those wolves that were tamer and less aggressive would have been more successful at this, and while the humans did not initially gain any kind of benefit from this process, over time they would have developed some kind of symbiotic [mutually beneficial] relationship with these animals, eventually evolving into the dogs we see today.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store