Latest news with #Lanza
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Life on Mars? Paper co-authored by LANL scientist says more terraforming research needed
It might be surprising to hear planetary scientist Nina Lanza use the word 'disappointing' in the same sentence as 'Mars.' After all, the Los Alamos National Laboratory researcher has dedicated her entire career to the Red Planet. Lanza personally has been fascinated with Mars since seeing images taken of the surface during the 1997 Pathfinder mission. But she said the earlier Viking missions in the 1970s were a letdown to many, leading to a longtime lack of interest in Earth's rusty neighbor and an approximately two-decade gap before the next Mars mission. 'We saw a bunch of rocks,' Lanza said. 'That's not actually unexpected — that's what planets are made out of. But there was so much hype, I think, built up from 100 years of study of Mars as having canals, with these civilizations moving water. All of that was built up so much that when we actually saw the surface of Mars as it is, people couldn't help being disappointed.' That's changed. Lanza, who recently co-authored a perspective paper on the potential to terraform Mars, said the fourth planet from the sun is going through a renaissance. Technological advances, Space X and Andy Weir's The Martian have returned Mars to the forefront of the public's imagination. An idea popularized by astronomer and planetary scientist Carl Sagan in 1971 is having a renaissance as well: terraforming. 'Mars has been a lot more of a complex, dynamic place than we really gave it credit for when we first landed with Viking,' Lanza said. 'It's a place with a lot of resources. It's a place that I think we can, yet again, start to imagine ourselves going to and being there on the surface.' Nina Lanza X post Nina Lanza, a Los Alamos National Laboratory scientist who has dedicated her career to Mars, documents milestones in red planet research on her X account. Her perspective paper, published in Nature Astronomy, asks two main questions: Can the currently inhospitable Mars be warmed enough for life? And, once that question is answered, another arises: Should it? The paper makes a case for more terraforming research. But there's a long way to go before the red planet turns green. Terraforming has, in the past, been relegated to the pages of novels. A 2018 study published in Nature Astronomy suggested there's not enough readily accessible carbon dioxide left on Mars to warm the planet sufficiently with greenhouse gases alone. But Edwin Kite, associate professor of planetary science at the University of Chicago and another co-author on the perspective paper, said there's been technological advances in the past couple of years that have made terraforming seem more in reach. 'It hasn't been a goal in the past because it's been seen as science fiction,' Kite said. '… It's only in the last few years that there's been a big increase in our ability to move mass around the solar system, and these new warming efforts that make it seem like something we might actually do — as opposed to science fiction.' A friendlier climate New Mexico and Mars are both deserts, Lanza noted. Water scarcity is a big problem in the Southwest, but it pales in comparison to the lack of readily accessible water on Mars. The majority of the planet's water reserves are in its coldest parts, according to her paper. Mars was likely once a warmer, wetter place, but that's not the case now. Cold, dry and radiation heavy, its surface is 'worse than the worst deserts on Earth,' Lanza said — more akin to the frozen desert of Antarctica. New Mexico is 'like a tropical jungle compared to Mars,' she said. Mars also has a thin atmosphere. Nina Lanza 'Right now, Mars is not a great place to go if you're a human — or any kind of microscopic life. It's a really harsh environment,' Lanza said. '[But] you can make it less harsh, even if you can't recreate Earth.' Kite said there's several potential ways to address these challenges and warm Mars. For example, in a 2024 article co-authored by Kite, researchers looked at using artificial aerosols made of materials readily available on the planet's surface, rather than greenhouse gases, and found it potentially could warm the planet more effectively. The recent perspective paper also delves into using solar sails and other methods to potentially increase the planet's average global temperature by 'tens of degrees' over the course of several years. Raising ethical questions But 'can' and 'should' are two different words. The paper delves into the ethics of terraforming — and putting humans on Mars in general. 'Indeed, any movement of humans beyond Earth raises ethical issues,' the paper states. 'It is a trope of science fiction that, even though humans have already restructured Earth's land surface, nitrogen cycle and so on at the planetary scale, attempts to do the same for other worlds will be seen as dysfunctional.' Much of that swirls around a lingering question left unanswered by David Bowie: Is there, or has there ever been, life on Mars? If there is, researchers argue, that totally changes the discussion about terraforming. While the planet appears dead on the surface, Kite said, there could be life lurking in the deep subsurface. And Lanza said rocks studied with Mars rovers have displayed 'fascinating chemistry' that could be an indicator of ancient life on Mars. 'If we had seen it on Earth, it wouldn't be a question to us that this was formed by life,' Lanza said. 'But because it's on Mars, it requires much, much larger burden of proof.' In some ways, the perspective paper is a call to action: More research is needed. Such research could also inform our knowledge of Earth, Lanza said, noting the planet's changing climate. Mars has gone through its own climate change, becoming drier and colder; terraforming would be yet another change. The surface is also much more ancient than Earth's, Lanza said, allowing for a more complete geologic record. But, while similar, Mars and Earth have fundamental differences, Lanza said. Terraforming could make them more similar, but Mars will never become a copy of Earth. 'Earth is unique, Mars is unique, and Mars will continue to be unique,' Lanza said. 'Planets are never going to be identical.' Nina Lanza Stalled sample mission Evidence of life could be in samples of matter collected on the planet's surface, which NASA had planned to return to Earth for study. The Mars rover Perseverance has been collecting samples, but they might not make it to Earth. An early proposed budget report said costly missions like Mars Sample Return, described as 'grossly over budget,' should be terminated. The need for research on samples would be fulfilled by human missions to Mars, the report stated. It's not the first time the high cost of the mission has raised eyebrows. An independent September 2023 report expressed concerns over an 'unrealistic budget and schedule expectations.' The mission was unlikely to meet proposed timelines, the report said, and the proposed fiscal year 2024 budget wouldn't be enough to get the program off the ground. However, the value of the samples is high, the report stated. The return would 'revolutionize' the understanding of the inner solar system and answer 'one of the most important scientific questions we can answer' — whether there is, or was, life off of Earth. But NASA struggled to communicate the importance of the mission to the public, the report stated. Last year, then-NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said the agency was working on a plan to address the issues. 'Mars Sample Return will be one of the most complex missions NASA has ever undertaken. The bottom line is, an $11 billion budget is too expensive, and a 2040 return date is too far away,' Nelson said in an August news release. 'Safely landing and collecting the samples, launching a rocket with the samples off another planet — which has never been done before — and safely transporting the samples more than 33 million miles back to Earth is no small task. We need to look outside the box to find a way ahead that is both affordable and returns samples in a reasonable timeframe.' Nina Lanza Lanza said the Mars Sample Return mission is critical. She doesn't see human missions as an alternative — the human presence can disrupt the planet's landscape, potentially obscuring any record of ancient or current life. The samples can also help protect humans, and their equipment, on future Mars missions, she said. She pointed to lunar regolith, sharp dust on the moon that can be damaging to breathe. 'Understanding what Mars is made out of and how it might pose any particular hazards to health, that's really important if you're going to send people into that hazard,' Lanza said. Kite had a different perspective. Although the samples have been 'judiciously chosen,' he said, they won't answer every question about Mars — and the high cost makes it unlikely other sample return missions will be approved. 'Even if it had been pursued, it would have been the last sample return, because taxpayers would never sign off on a second one that was very expensive,' Kite said. '… Making it that expensive is a very eggs-in-one-basket approach, because it seems that your first bunch of samples will answer all questions about Mars.' He added, 'I don't think that's likely.'
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
TiTE x IHT 2025: Taiwan's Largest Hardware Exhibition
Asia's Premier Tools & Hardware Show TAIPEI, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TiTE x IHT 2025 (Taiwan Int'l Tools & Hardware Expo x Int'l Hardware Expo Taiwan), the largest Taiwan hardware show and the only event co-organized by the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association (THMA), is co-hosted with Lanza Int'l Co., Ltd. Held October 21-23 at the brand new Taichung International Convention & Exhibition Center (TICEC), it unites 400 exhibitors across 800 booths in eight zones, drawing 20,000+ buyers from the US, Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. Innovate. Integrate. Dominate. Get free tickets: State-of-the-Art Exhibition Hub Located in Taiwan's "Golden Corridor," this Taiwan hardware show leverages the 40,936 m² Taichung venue, with a 14,011 m² exhibition space featuring smart technologies and green standards. This eco-friendly facility optimizes sourcing efficiency for global buyers. Limited spots available—"Foreign Buyer Subsidy Applications" are now open! Link: KING TONY's 40-Year Legacy Celebrating its 40th anniversary, KING TONY, a global leader in professional hand tools, joins TiTE x IHT 2025 as an exhibitor and Global Strategic Partner. Showcasing four decades of excellence, KING TONY will display innovative tools, amplifying Taiwan's hardware leadership across 130 countries. THMA and Lanza's Combined Authority As the sole THMA-endorsed event, TiTE x IHT 2025 benefits from THMA's 47 years of industry leadership, fostering innovation and global trade in hand tools. Paired with Lanza's 15 years of exhibition expertise, this collaboration ensures a premier platform for sourcing high-value, sustainable solutions. Taiwan's Hand Tool Excellence Taiwan's hand tools, including those from KING TONY and other leading manufacturers, are celebrated globally for their superior quality, cutting-edge innovation, unwavering integrity, and stable supply chains. The event showcases these strengths across eight zones: Tools & Accessories; Metalworking, Machinery & Processing; Factory Equipment & Industrial Safety; Automotive Repair & EV Applications; Fasteners & Fixings; Gardening, Agricultural & Outdoor Living; Building & Home Improvement; and Smart Manufacturing. Summit and Automotive Solutions The Global Hardware Innovation Summit will explore AI, net-zero solutions, and supply chain resilience. Post-Canton Fair, TiTE x IHT 2025 is a sourcing hub for professional automotive repair tools, especially for EV maintenance, meeting surging demand. Backed by 30+ industry associations, it's ideal for brand visibility and global market expansion. * For more information: Register for Free Entry Ticket: Foreign Buyer Incentive Program: Tel:+886-2-7746-2868* Email: marketing@ * Contact: Genny Chiang View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lanza International Co., Ltd. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Gizmodo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Gizmodo
‘It Was Like an Oven': Some Bus Shelters Actually Make Heat Even Worse, Study Finds
Imagine taking the bus on a hot summer day. The Sun is beating down strongly, so you hurry to the bus shelter. After all, the structure's shade should lessen the heat stress. New research, however, shows that this isn't always the case. In fact, sometimes it makes an already unpleasant situation even worse. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston measured heat stress at bus stops in Houston between July 20 and August 7, 2023. As detailed in a study published earlier this year in the journal Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, they found that, on average, trees reduced heat stress by the same amount as the best bus shelter design—and that under certain conditions, one bus shelter actually made heat stress worse. Their findings have direct implications for public health, and specifically for how experts should design future bus stops. 'Heat stress is a combination of factors, not just the temperature you see on your phone's weather app or your car dash,' co-author Kevin Lanza said in a University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston statement. 'Imagine it's 100 degrees out. If the sun is also strong and hitting you, that continues to heat you up.' Standing in extreme heat for long periods of time puts people at risk of heat stroke, and that risk increases with high humidity, according to the statement. The team claims that its study is the first to investigate how shelters and trees at bus stops impact heat stress via ground measurements. The team investigated trees and four different bus shelter designs at 17 Houston bus stops, collecting data from both shaded and unshaded areas, when temperatures reached 95 to 103 degrees Fahrenheit (35 to 39.4 degrees Celsius). They factored in variables such as the time of day, shelter design, and tree canopies, and recorded wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)—a measurement of heat stress that takes into account factors such as temperature, humidity, and wind. According to their results, the average WBGT at unshaded regions of bus stops was 92.5 degrees F. Unsurprisingly, standing in the shade generally reduced the WBGT. Tree shade decreased the WBGT by 5.9 degrees F, as did a stainless steel frame with a roof and glass walls, which was the most effective a cooling. By contrast, bus shelters with an aluminum frame, a moderately domed roof, and translucent acrylic walls lowered the WBGT by 1.6 degrees. Another similar design had a bigger and shallower dome, as well as an overhanging roof, and decreased the WBGT by 2.9 degrees F. But when the shelter itself wasn't in the shade, the WBGT beneath it was 5.2 degrees F higher than unshaded areas. 'Because the enclosed acrylic walls with metal trapped radiation inside the shelter, it was like an oven, making it hotter than outside the shelter,' Lanza said. 'Study results can serve as evidence for planting trees at bus stops for maximum cooling, and if shelters are the only option, then being strategic in design.' Simply put, this latest study joins a host of evidence suggesting that trees in cities are almost always a good idea.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Hard to imagine a bigger betrayal': AZ judge reveals men's Russia aircraft parts scheme
An Arizona judge sentenced two Russian men to prison for sending aircraft parts to Russia in an illegal export scam. U.S. District Court Judge Dominic Lanza handed Oleg Sergeyevich Patsulya an almost six-year sentence on April 2, while Vasilii Sergeyevich Besedin was handed a two-year sentence. The two Florida residents presented themselves to U.S. companies, including one in Arizona, as brokers seeking aircraft parts on behalf of clients in other countries. However, they intended to send the parts to Russia, in violation of heightened export controls in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to court documents. The two were charged with violating the federal Export Control Reform Act. Patsulya's sentence also reflected his guilty plea to money laundering. He agreed to forfeit more than $4.5M in assets, including a luxury vehicle and a boat, to compensate for the money he made off of the scheme. In a statement, Lanza identified Patsulya as the leader of the plot, which Patsulya hatched after he had been granted a visa to be in the U.S. legally. 'It's hard to imagine a bigger betrayal of the United States than what you did,' Lanza said. In his plea agreement, Patsulya acknowledged that by pleading guilty it was "a virtual certainty" that he would be deported from the U.S. The duo's efforts to obtain parts for a carbon disc brake system used on Boeing 737s led them to an Arizona firm, identified in court documents as "Arizona Company 1." During a Sept. 8, 2022 visit, the two said they were interested in buying brake parts for a Turkish client and signed forms indicating the transaction complied with export rules. Both actions were lies, court documents stated. The Arizona deal never went through, but the two pursued other companies and ultimately were able to ship some of the brake systems to Russia, records show. The case was investigated by the Phoenix field office of the U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security and Phoenix-based FBI agents. They were aided by federal investigators in Boston and Miami. Reach the reporter at or at 602-228-7566 and follow her on social media @maryjpitzl. . Subscribe to today. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona company targeted in scheme to export aircraft parts illegally
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Redefining the transistor: The ideal building block for artificial intelligence
SINGAPORE, March 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The team led by Associate Professor Mario Lanza from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at the National University of Singapore, has just revolutionised the field of neuromorphic computing by inventing a new super-efficient computing cell that can mimic the behaviour of both electronic neurons and synapses. The work, titled "Synaptic and neural behaviours in a standard silicon transistor" was published in the scientific journal Nature on 26 March 2025 and is already attracting interest from leading companies in the semiconductor field. Electronic neurons and synapses are the two fundamental building blocks of next-generation artificial neural networks. Unlike traditional computers, these systems process and store data in the same place, eliminating the need to waste time and energy transferring data from memory to the processing unit (CPU). The problem is that implementing electronic neurons and synapses with traditional silicon transistors requires interconnecting multiple devices — specifically, at least 18 transistors per neuron and 6 per synapse. This makes them significantly larger and more expensive than a single transistor. The team led by Professor Lanza has found an ingenious way to reproduce the electronic behaviours characteristic of neurons and synapses in a single conventional silicon transistor. The key lies in setting the resistance of the bulk terminal to a specific value to produce a physical phenomenon called "impact ionisation," which generates a current spike very similar to what happens when an electronic neuron is activated. Additionally, by setting the bulk resistance to other specific values, the transistor can store charge in the gate oxide, causing the resistance of the transistor to persist over time, mimicking the behaviour of an electronic synapse. Making the transistor operate as a neuron or synapse is as simple as selecting the appropriate resistance for the bulk terminal. The physical phenomenon of "impact ionisation" had traditionally been considered a failure mechanism in silicon transistors, but Professor Lanza's team has managed to control it and turn it into a highly valuable application for the industry. This discovery is revolutionary because it allows the size of electronic neurons to be reduced by a factor of 18 and that of synapses by a factor of 6. Considering that each artificial neural network contains millions of electronic neurons and synapses, this could represent a huge leap forward in computing systems capable of processing much more information while consuming far less energy. Furthermore, the team has designed a cell with two transistors — called Neuro-Synaptic Random Access Memory (NSRAM) — that allows switching between operating modes (neuron or synapse), offering great versatility in manufacturing since both functions can be reproduced using a single block, without the need to dope the silicon to achieve specific substrate resistance values. The transistors used by Professor Lanza's team to implement these advanced neurons and synapses are not cutting-edge transistors like those manufactured in Taiwan or Korea, but rather traditional 180-nanometer node transistors, which can be produced by Singapore-based companies. According to Professor Lanza, "once the operating mechanism is discovered, it's now more a matter of microelectronic design". The first author of the paper, Dr Sebastián Pazos, who is from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, commented, "Traditionally, the race for supremacy in semiconductors and artificial intelligence has been a matter of brute force, seeing who could manufacture smaller transistors and bear the production costs that come with it. Our work proposes a radically different approach based on exploiting a computing paradigm using highly efficient electronic neurons and synapses. This discovery is a way to democratise nanoelectronics and enable everyone to contribute to the development of advanced computing systems, even without access to cutting-edge transistor fabrication processes." Read more at: View original content: SOURCE National University of Singapore Sign in to access your portfolio
