The International Space Station may be a bit too cleanGeopix/AlamyThe strategy of keeping spacecraft as clean and sterile as possible to ensure astronauts dont become ill may be a mistake. Our immune systems may need stimulation from certain kinds of molecules and microbes to stay healthy, say researchers who have been studying the International Space Station (ISS).The general notion is to try to have as few microbes as possible, but the question is if that is the best thing to do for long-term space travel, says Pieter Dorrestein at the University of California San Diego. And its also relevant for places on Earth, such as research [stations], hospitals and submarines, where you can spend months or more. AdvertisementOne reason for sterilising spacecraft is to avoid contaminating planets, such as Mars, with microbes from Earth, but the main concern is that an infection that would be easily treatable on our planet could become a major issue on a spacecraft.Dorrestein and his team have analysed more than 700 swabs of surfaces onboard the ISS, and found it is indeed squeaky clean in terms of the diversity of the molecules and microbes present.The space station is just devoid of a lot of molecules and microbes, he says. It is at the extreme end of human living.The latest science news delivered to your inbox, every day.Sign up to newsletterThe team thinks this lack of exposure to the usual wide array of molecules and microbes could be one reason why there are significant changes to the immune system in space. On the space station, astronauts often get rashes, unusual allergies, fungal or bacterial infections, as well as activation of latent viruses such as Epstein-Barr, which was found in one of the samples.We dont have a full understanding of that, says Dorrestein. But the way I view this is that your immune system has to be periodically pinged.The researchers say we need to find ways to make environments like the space station dirtier, so that they are more diverse in molecules and microbes, but without introducing any infection-causing pathogens.One way to do this would be to apply bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis to surfaces instead of disinfectants, says Dorrestein. B. subtilis is already widely used for its antifungal activity.Growing a range of plants could help as well. We know from other studies that when people are exposed to a lot more plant molecules, they tend to have reduced connections to asthma and allergies, says Dorrestein. There is a complete absence of these plant molecules on the space station, he says.Journal reference:Cell DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2025.01.039Topics:space flight

A sample of organic glass found inside the skull of a man from HerculaneumPier Paolo PetroneThe eruption of Mount Vesuvius around 2000 years ago caused one mans brain to explode and turned the fragments to glass. The discovery is the only known instance of soft tissue turning to glass and sheds new light on how eruptions kill and how we might protect people.The volcanic disaster struck in AD 79, burying the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae in thick layers of ash that eventually solidified. At least 1500 bodies and thousands of ancient papyrus scrolls have

Boycotters are planning an economic blackout on February 28 to protest corporate corruption.The People's Union USA wants people to avoid major retailers and call out from work if possible.It remains unclear how many are engaged in boycotting and what the impacts may be.On February 28, protestors aligned with a grassroots organization called the People's Union USA plan to hold an economic blackout targeted at corporations."Corporations and banks only care about their bottom line," the People's Union USAFor the whole day on February 28, the organization calls on people to refuse to make purchases online or in-store from major retailers or spend money on gas or fast food. If spending is necessary, the People's Union suggests buying from small businesses only and using cash."For one day," the website said," we show them who really holds the power."The effort is spearheaded by John Schwarz, who described himself on the website as "just a man who has lived through struggle, seen the truth, and decided to do something about it.""The system is designed to keep all of us trapped," Schwarz wrote. "That is why I started this organization. Because I believe we deserve better. Because I believe it is possible to break free from a system built to exploit us."Schwarz did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The People's Union USA also plans longer and more focused boycotts down the road, including a weeklong boycotts against Amazon, Nestle, and Walmart in March and April. The organization also called on people to take Friday off from work, if they are able to do so without risking their jobs.It remains unclear how many people are committed to boycotting the economy on Friday and what kind of impact it may have.Historically, some boycotts have had short-lived or even counterintuitive effects. When there were calls to boycott Goya after the company's CEO praised President Donald Trump in 2020, the company later said sales actually increased thanks to Trump supporters initiating a counter-movement called a "buycott" that encouraged people to buy from Goya.An analysis from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University found that the "buycott effect overwhelmed the boycott effect," temporarily raising the company's sales.That said, other boycotts may have been more effective depending on the cause that mobilized people to boycott. In 2023, Bud Light faced fierce conservative backlash after a brief branding stint with a transgender influencer. Well over one year later, sales for Anheuser-Busch, which makes Bud Light, remained down.

"The Traitors" Experience costs about $41 a person and can have up to 12 players.In it, players compete in challenges, Traitors commit murders, and Faithfuls try to catch them. The hourlong experience was a blast even though I lost and everyone left with prizes. I'm a huge fan of "The Traitors" so much so that the Peacock reality show was the theme of my last birthday party.Now in its third season, the series brings fabulously dressed host Alan Cumming and stars from franchises like "The Real Housewives," "Survivor," and "Big Brother" to a castle in the Scottish Highlands.There, the stars compete in challenges to build up the cash prize pot, murder each other in secret, and banish suspected Traitors from the castle during dramatic round-table debates. To celebrate its current season, Peacock teamed up with Just Fix It Productions to put on "The Traitors" Experience, which runs in Los Angeles until March 2 and is set to travel to London this summer. Each hourlong experience consists of up to 12 people playing for exclusive swag. Recently, I was invited to try the sold-out experience as an independent journalist, though tickets typically cost about $41 a person.Here's what it was like. The event took place in a Hollywood mansion The mansion was filled with red light to set the mood. Rene Reizman I didn't know what to expect as I drove up to the Beckett Mansion in the West Adams neighborhood. All I'd really been told was to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. (Plaid attire was also suggested a nod to the show's backdrop in the Scottish Highlands). When I arrived, my ticket was scanned and I was led to a table with large gold coins and small shields. The props looked like replicas from the show, which made me more excited to enter the experience.A woman with a thick Scottish accent and a tam o' shanter handed me a waiver to sign and a glass of bubbly. Then, I joined the other players. We were served small bites, like French macarons and cucumber sandwiches, before officially entering the mansion. We had a few light bites before the game began. Rene Reizman This pregame mixer was important for replicating the show's nervous anticipation on episode one. No one was assigned a Traitor or Faithful role yet. After a few minutes, the 12 of us entered the mansion's darkly lit foyer and were greeted by a woman in a kilt who would be our guide for the experience.The Traitor selection and challenges felt pretty similar to what I've seen on TVOur guide had us put on eye masks and began circling us as she chose the Traitors of the evening. Soon, I felt her hand on my shoulder: I had picked.In this experience, being a Traitor meant I had to also sabotage challenges. That's directly at odds with my competitive spirit, but a good Traitor always plays the long game.We were quickly ushered into the next room, a bar decorated with cozy chairs and portraits of season-three contestants. I spotted a framed photo of one contestant from season three on a barrel. Rene Reizman Our first challenge involved putting together outfits for Alan Cumming. The room was cluttered with the host's wardrobe, accessories, and styling mood boards. In the middle was a stack of locked suitcases. This challenge involved dressing a mannequin Rene Reizman We had to solve math problems to figure out the combinations, and then dress a mannequin correctly before time ran out. We had to solve a few math problems to get our clothing pieces. Rene Reizman The first murder caused chaos in the mansionWe successfully completed the challenge, but our celebrations were cut short when our guide announced it was time for the first murder. We circled up, and the Faithfuls put their eye masks back on.There was one other Traitor, and our guide asked us to point to who we wanted to kill. Without a private turret like the TV show, our sudden decision couldn't be strategized or discussed. We pointed toward another player at random.I felt terrible because I was worried that our murdered player would be removed from the experience. It turned out that he could continue participating, just with some disadvantages. My guilty conscience was wiped clean.The game continued with more challenges and a recruitment One challenge felt like a nod to season two of "The Traitors." Rene Reizman When we entered the next room and saw "priceless" artifacts on pedestals, I knew we'd be replicating season two's heist challenge. Green laser lights shot from the ceiling, and we had to contort our bodies around them, "Mission:Impossible"-style, to collect puzzle pieces without setting them off. We didn't succeed. After, the Traitors got the chance to recruit another person before the next challenge, which took place in a messy kitchen. One challenge was set in a kitchen. Rene Reizman Here, two challenges would occur simultaneously: we could either answer riddles or solve a complex logic puzzle. Our group wasn't totally successful. Once it ended, we gathered around a well and donned our blindfolds to kill another player. The player I've clocked as my biggest threat won a shield during the kitchen challenge, so he could not be killed. I pointed to the person standing next to him, and the other Traitors (now three of us) followed suit. Our last challenge was a game of trivia with a gothic twist, complete with wooden coffins and daggers. I was banished, but I still had a lot of fun The round table looked similar to the one on "The Traitors" TV show. Rene Reizman At last, we reached the round table for our dramatic finale.Before the final round table, we played one last game. Everyone stood up and, one by one, would point to the player we believed most faithful. Once chosen, that person was safe from banishment and could sit. As I'd suspected, the Faithfuls had discovered my true nature a while ago, and I was the last one standing.Banished, I uttered my exit speech with the flair of a Real Housewife. "I truly am oblivious and bad at these games." Loud sighs. "And I truly am" Dramatic pause. "A Traitor."The room erupted into cheers, just like on the television show. I found myself smiling, too, even though I had just lost. The group still had the chance to banish a Traitor by writing a name on a slate, but I couldn't vote because I'd been eliminated.The Faithfuls ended up banishing one of their own, and the Traitors won. My teammates received their very own Traitor cloaks that looked like the ones from the show, whereas I got a ball cap that said "Traitor" as a consolation prize. The Faithfuls got mugs.The hourlong experience was a blast, and I'm already hoping another version of it returns for season four. It feels like the perfect night out for a "Traitors" superfan or anyone who loves escape rooms, puzzles, and elaborate sets.

90s classic Terminator 2 is getting another video game adaptation for 2025Michael BeckwithPublished February 27, 2025 5:53pmUpdated February 27, 2025 5:53pm You cant have a Terminator 2 game without the highway chase (Reef Entertainment)A new Terminator game has been announced but its sticking close to the technology of 1991, for a new retro themed side-scroller due out this year.Would you believe there were no less than six video games based on Terminator 2: Judgment Day, all of which came out in the span of three years, at the time of the films original release? Its difficult to imagine something like that happening nowadays and yet apparently theres room for one more.Its been nearly 34 years since the movie came out but Reef Entertainment, the publisher behind 2019 first person shooter Terminator Resistance, has decided to make its next Terminator title a direct adaptation of the beloved sequel.Rather than a big budget shooter though, Terminator 2D: No Fate is, as the name suggests, a 2D action side-scroller that deliberately evokes 80s and 90s era arcade games.For the most part, Terminator 2D looks like a straight adaptation of the movie (the trailer confirms the iconic highway chase is included), with you playing as both the T-800 and Sarah Connor as they attempt to thwart the T-1000.However, the game is set to include entirely new future sections that see you play as John Connor in what look like Contra inspired run n gun levels.In fact, Terminator 2D promises to include a lot of new content that wasnt shown in the movie. Aside from original scenarios and untold Terminator stories, Reef Entertainment says there will be multiple endings as well.For instance, this screenshot tells us itll be possible to have Sarah kill Miles Dyson (one of Skynets creators); something she never did in the movie.Reef Entertainment also mentions multiple game modes besides the main campaign, including an arcade mode and a boss rush as well as infinite mode and level training. Details on what exactly those last two are havent been shared.As for who is making the game, that would be British studio Bitmap Bureau, which has plenty of experience in making retro inspired games, like side-scrolling beat em up Final Vendetta and top-down shooter Xeno Crisis. That second one is even playable on a bunch of retro consoles, including the Mega Drive and SNES.More TrendingBitmap Bureau has similar plans for Terminator 2D, but the game is currently only confirmed for modern platforms Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC and is slated to launch physically and digitally on September 5, 2025.This isnt the only Terminator game dropping this year. In 2022, Terminator: Resistance studio Nacon announced an open world survival game entitled Terminator: Survivors, as a follow-up to Resistance.An early access version was meant to launch for PC in October 2024, but Nacon opted to delay it to an unspecified date in 2025. Its very much not intended to be a retro-esque experience as, aside from PC, its only slated to come to Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5.Elsewhere, the T-1000 is set to arrive as the next DLC character for Mortal Kombat 1 on March 18, with the actor Robert Patrick reprising the role. Youve got to love this game over screen (Reef Entertainment)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

New game Pokmon Champions revealed for Switch & mobile on Pokmon DayGameCentralPublished February 27, 2025 3:16pmUpdated February 27, 2025 3:24pm Pokmon Champions the legacy of Pokmon Stadium lives on (The Pokmon Company)The annual Pokmon Day showcase has unveiled a brand new Pokmon game that focuses on the series old school turn-based battles.Many of the entertainment worlds biggest franchises now have their own celebratory day, whether its Star Wars and May The 4th Be With You or Alien Day on April 26 (as in the planet LV-426). Pokmon Days origins arent quite so contrived though, as February 27 is simple the day the original Pokmon Red and Green games were released in Japan, in 1996.That means its only the 29th anniversary this year and yet we still got two significant announcements during Thursdays Pokmon Presents showcase: the first proper look at Pokmon Legends: Z-A and a brand new game called Pokmon Champions.Champions will be released for both Switch and iOS/Android and will focus on the old school turn-based battles of the series, in what seems to be essentially a modern update of the Pokmon Stadium titles.Although there was a nice reveal trailer, showing Pokmon battles through the ages, from Game Boy to Switch, it wasnt super clear what the game is.Its implied the battles will work the same as the mainline games but how exactly you obtain the pokmon you fight with wasnt mentioned.In Pokmon Stadium you basically just got loaners, with generic stats, but you could also upload and use your own pokmon from the mainline games. It seems Champions might work in a similar manner, with the reveal trailer boasting of access to Pokmon Home, which in turn gives you the ability to use critters youve caught in Pokmon Go and Scarlet/Violet.There was no mention of the Nintendo Switch 2 at all during the Pokmon Presents but since its backwards compatible with the original Switch, Pokmon Champions and Z-A should work on it anyway even if the games arent necessarily enhanced in any way.The showcase was just shy of 20 minutes long but the other announcements were merely minor updates to the various other ongoing games.This included Pokmon Go, Pokmon Caf Remix, Pokmon Sleep, Pokmon Unite, and Pokmon Trading Card Game Pocket, most of which had special promotions or free gifts for Pokmon Day.More TrendingPokmon Scarlet and Violet does too, even if its just a Rotom phone case, while the physical trading card game was announced as getting mega evolutions.There was also a spot for Pokmon Concierge, whose stop motion animation continues to make it the most visually interesting of the Pokmon cartoons.The show will be getting new episodes on Netflix in September, with the addition of pokmon Shinx, Growlithe, and Corphish. If youve not seen the show, then the first four episodes will be free on the Pokmon Company YouTube channel until March 9.There was no hint of a tenth generation mainline Pokmon game, but given the criticism that developer Game Freak has faced over the technical failings of the last two games they seem to be taking their time with the next one, which will likely be a Switch 2 exclusive. Its not clear how far away Gen 10 is (The Pokmon Company)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

By Adam Kovac Published February 27, 2025 | Comments (0) | JBArt via Shutterstock An illustration of coronaviruses. Half a decade after the covid-19 pandemic began, the threat of another fast-spreading viral outbreak remains. On Thursday, a new program based at the University of Cambridge launched to help the world prepare for it. While covids origins still havent been definitively determined, the Engineered Pandemics Risk Management Programme was established on the belief that a future pandemic could be the result of a deliberate, human-made effort. Its research will focus partly on preventing such an outbreak and partly on developing contingency plans for the United Kingdom in case the worst comes to pass. Though the program was established last year, Thursday marked its formal launch. Among its staff are world-renowned experts in subjects that include immunology, science policy, and biotechnology. Biological warfare has been used for thousands of years, and there is actually precedent for it (possibly) leading to a full-fledged pandemic. Some scholars believe the Mongolian Golden Horde kicked off the Black Death in Europe by flinging dead bodies infected with the bacteria that caused the disease during the 1346 Siege of Caffa. In a press release, the committee said the modern threat is unprecedented, given advances in artificial intelligence and gene editing. There is a great opportunity to take a joined-up approach to managing the risks posed by engineered pandemics, said Clare Bryant, a professor at Cambridges Department of Medicine, and co-chair of the program. We need experts and agencies across the spectrum to work together to develop a better understanding of who or what might drive such events and what their likely impact would be. And we need evidence-informed policies and networks in place that would help us respond toor better still, preventsuch an eventuality. Along with researching the most likely state and non-state actors who could be working to modify harmful pathogens (or just release one accidentally), the program will also examine strategies for dealing with such a crisis once its unleashed. At the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, hospitals around the world dealt with a shortage of personal protective equipment, such as N95 respirators. The experts on the panel will work on models that could help predict what products and other infrastructure may be needed should another pandemic hit, and how supply lines can be set up to ensure there are no shortfalls of supplies. That includes how to ensure theres a sufficient supply of vaccines, should one be available. Speaking of vaccines, the group acknowledged that mistrust of science and the spread of misinformation is bound to play a major role in an outbreak. Given that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.a man who has spread dangerous (and potentially deadly) misinformation about vaccinesis now overseeing the public health system of the United States, strengthening pandemic preparedness seems like a wise move. Its not clear when any of the programs work will be published or made publicly available. Given that a new coronavirus that could possibly infect humans was discovered literally this week, and that experts have been warning for years that another pandemic is likely to occur this century, we think we speak for everyone when we wish them Godspeed.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Ed Cara Published February 25, 2025 By Ed Cara Published February 22, 2025 By Ed Cara Published February 19, 2025 By Matt Novak Published February 13, 2025 By Ed Cara Published February 13, 2025 By Ed Cara Published February 4, 2025

By Matt Novak Published February 27, 2025 | Comments (3) | Elon Musk at a cabinet meeting with Donald Trump in the White House on Feb. 27, 2025. Photo: White House / Flickr The FAA is currently close to canceling a major contract with Verizon in favor of Elon Musks Starlink, according to a bombshell new report from the Washington Post. In another era, one company winning a big government contract over another company wouldnt be a huge deal. But in the era of DOGE, Musk is essentially running the entire federal government from top to bottom. And it looks an awful lot like self-dealing. The $2.4 billion contract was awarded to Verizon in 2023, according to the Post, and upgrades the systems that allow FAA offices to communicate with air traffic control facilities. But Musk has been critical of Verizon in recent days, writing on X Monday that its system is not working and so is putting air travelers at serious risk. Musk provided no evidence for his claim. Employees at SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, have reportedly been working at the FAA and have even received FAA email addresses, according to the Post. But theres no transparency about what Musk and his DOGE team are actually doing inside the agency. And news about Starlink potentially getting a contract raises enormous red flags. Especially since the proper process for unwinding the Verizon contract has not been followed, according to the Post. Typically, even the appearance of a conflict of interest is a major issue when it comes to government contracts. But having a guy like Musk and his team of DOGE goons rummaging through FAA at a time when one of Musks private companies might be awarded a contract? Thats uncharted waters for self-dealing in the U.S. Musk says Starlink is already getting up and running on FAA systems, but the billionaire is trying to portray the move as something either temporary or purely charitable.To be clear here, the Verizon communication system to air traffic control is breaking down very rapidly, Musk tweeted Thursday, without providing evidence. The FAA assessment is single digit months to catastrophic failure, putting air traveler safety at serious risk, Musk continued. Again, Musk isnt providing any clarity on what he means. But he stresses that the taxpayer isnt paying Starlink at the moment. The Starlink terminals are being sent at NO COST to the taxpayer on an emergency basis to restore air traffic control connectivity. The situation is extremely dire, Musk concluded. Musk hasnt explained what is so dire about the situation, but theres no doubting that his own cuts have made things more dangerous at the FAA. At least 400 FAA employees were recently laid off, many of which worked on critical systems, according to the Associated Press. And yet Musk says the FAA needs more air traffic controllers, something that was certainly true even before Musk started laying off thousands of workers.Musk tweeted on Thursday There is a shortage of top notch air traffic controllers. If you have retired, but are open to returning to work, please consider doing so. Musk and DOGE are currently destroying entire agencies, from USAID to CFPB, while insisting that theyre just looking for waste, fraud, and abuse. But Musk has yet to present a single example of waste, fraud, or abuse, and instead will cut a program that he simply doesnt like. Thats illegal, of course, since Congress has the power to decide what gets funded and what doesnt. But with Republicans in control of both the House and the Senate, it doesnt seem like anything is going to stop Musk from continuing to rampage through the government.What about the courts? There are countless lawsuits filed against Musk and Trump. But theres already evidence that Trumps Department of Justice is simply not complying with court orders. The Supreme Court intervened late Wednesday to decide on whether Trump must restore funding for many programs that have been cut, something that lawyers must present their case on by mid-day Friday. Musk spoke at what was ostensibly President Trumps cabinet meeting on Wednesday, and suggested that he alone was deciding what was worth cutting and what was worth saving. The billionaire is running the country now, for all intents and purposes, and it doesnt seem like anything will stop him. Not the courts, not Congress, and certainly not President Trump. Because Musk and Trump need each other. And thats not going to change anytime soon. The FAA and SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. The U.S. Digital Service, which has been rebranded as DOGE in order to operate, also did not respond. Gizmodo will update this post if we hear back.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Matthew Gault Published February 27, 2025 By Lucas Ropek Published February 27, 2025 By Lucas Ropek Published February 26, 2025 By Matt Novak Published February 26, 2025 By Thomas Maxwell Published February 26, 2025 By AJ Dellinger Published February 25, 2025

Lelis House / vbrggSave this picture! Federico CairoliArchitects: vbrggYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Federico Cairoli Lead Architect: Valentn Brgger More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. Casa Lelis is located in Los Reartes, a town in the Sierras of Crdoba, where traditional architecture is characterized by stone walls and light roofs made of sticks and metal sheets. In this context, the building respects local technology and synthesizes its materiality into concrete and white elements. On a 10 x 30 site, the 8 x 12 house is organized in longitudinal strips that define the ground floor areas, service, living room, and gallery over which the bedrooms on the upper floor are perpendicularly superimposed.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!To the south, there is the service module, stereotomic, of artisanal technology built in cyclopean concrete and of a contained scale. It has stones on the faade that continue towards the interior in the warm areas, in front of the kitchen, in the center of the salamander, and in the back of the grill. This solid volume has two irregular and faceted perforations as if they were large extracted stones. One at the back, which opens a small terrace towards the garden. The other is a mirror that reflects a portion of the mountain landscape in the composition of the faade and allows you to observe the town's movement from the kitchen.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!On the staircase, the concrete overflows towards the living room with its first steps, which emerge from the ground, and rise like a light structure of folded white sheet metal that floats between the concrete walls. To the north, there are the other two modules intended for social, tectonic, industrial technology, and material unity spaces through the white finish.Save this picture!Save this picture!Built in a metal structure placed every four meters that support the roof of round sticks, covered with tongue and groove on the inside and corrugated sheet metal on the outside. This lightness allows the interior space to flow, integrating the living room with the gallery. The upper floor overlooks both the patio and the dining room.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!Finally, the house is wrapped with a system of mobile enclosures that enable and qualify an intermediate space. The various opening configurations that regulate the entry of light define the interior atmosphere and the envelope is therefore changing, sensitive to the environment and use. Being a weekend house, it remains completely closed most of the time, evidencing its formal synthesis.Save this picture!Save this picture!Details such as the entrance handle made up of four floating stones of White Micosa, a step of Field Stone suspended on the terrace, the intentional changes in scale, and a glass line throughout the development of the house that separates the white from the concrete base, the aim is to reinforce the evident duality between solidity and lightness of the work.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!With the differentiated opening towards the mountain landscape that integrates it into the environment plus the juxtaposition of construction techniques, the dialogue between the essential, the enduring, and the ethereal is established.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officevbrggOfficePublished on February 27, 2025Cite: "Lelis House / vbrgg" 27 Feb 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027247/lelis-house-vbrugg&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Apple on Monday announced a $500 billion investment in the United States over the next four years, a commitment that includes the development of a state-of-the-art data center in Houston.This facility will be crucial in producing servers for Apple Intelligence, the companys AI-driven system, to enhance user productivity and creativity.Apples decision to establish such a critical infrastructure in Texas underscores the states growing technological prominence and highlights the factors that make it a prime destination for significant tech investments.Texas Business Climate Attracts Tech GiantsThanks to its business-friendly environment, economic incentives, and robust infrastructure, Texas has long been a magnet for technology companies.One of the states most significant advantages is its favorable tax policies. Texas offers various incentives for businesses, including exemptions on sales and use taxes for equipment and electricity used in data centers. This attribute significantly lowers operational costs, making it an attractive location for companies looking to expand their footprint.Texas has a long history of tech investment dating back to the mid-1980s when Compaq Computer Corporation was founded. Compaq built the majority of its PCs and servers in Houston in elaborate manufacturing facilities before outsourcing production to Taiwan, courtesy of the lower costs offered by the likes of Foxconn, Quanta, and other ODMs (original design manufacturers).The Lone Star state also has no personal income tax, which can be a draw for highly skilled workers looking to relocate.Texas Energy Edge Powers AI Data CentersThis is crucial: another key reason for Apples choice is Texas energy infrastructure. Data centers require vast amounts of electricity to power and cool servers. Texas boasts some of the most affordable energy rates in the country, with industrial rates as low as $0.06 per kilowatt-hour.This cost-effectiveness, combined with the states investments in renewable energy sources like wind and solar, ensures a reliable and sustainable power supply. The abundance of energy makes Texas an ideal location for high-performance computing and AI-driven operations that demand constant uptime. In addition to economic benefits, Texas offers a well-developed infrastructure that supports high-speed connectivity and efficient logistics. Major cities like Dallas and Houston are home to extensive fiber-optic networks, ensuring optimal performance for data centers. Houston, in particular, has developed into a growing tech hub with a concentration of enterprise IT services and data management firms.The states central location also makes it a strategic distribution point for national and global technology operations, reducing latency for cloud computing services.Texas Talent Fuels Tech ExpansionUnlike traditional manufacturing facilities, AI data centers require highly experienced workers. For that reason, Texas workforce is another significant factor in Apples decision. The state is home to top-tier universities, such as the University of Texas at Austin, which produces thousands of engineering and computer science graduates annually.This steady talent pipeline provides tech companies with the skilled professionals to drive innovation and maintain operations. The concentration of tech talent in Austin, often called Silicon Hills, has already attracted major players like Tesla, Dell, and Oracle, further strengthening the regions appeal.Apples investment will also bring substantial job creation, benefiting the local economy and the broader U.S. workforce. The Houston facility is expected to create thousands of jobs, spanning high-tech engineering, manufacturing, and facility operations.While data centers typically require large workforces during construction, the long-term employment opportunities they create such as IT management and cybersecurity roles contribute to developing a highly specialized workforce. This influx of employment and innovation will likely spur additional economic activity, benefiting local businesses and service providers.Apple Expansion Bolsters U.S. Tech IndependenceBeyond job creation, Apples investment aligns with broader national objectives to strengthen domestic manufacturing and technology independence. By onshoring the production of AI servers, Apple reduces its reliance on overseas supply chains and mitigates risks associated with global disruptions.This move also responds to recent policy shifts, including tariffs on imported goods, which have incentivized companies to reevaluate their manufacturing and logistics strategies. Apples decision to invest heavily in Texas reflects the states growing reputation as a premier destination for tech giants. With its combination of low energy costs, business incentives, skilled workforce, and robust infrastructure, Texas offers an ideal environment for data centers and AI-driven operations.As Apple embarks on this ambitious expansion, it reinforces its commitment to U.S. manufacturing and helps solidify Texas position as a leader in the tech industry. This investment is expected to drive further innovation and economic growth, cementing Texas status as a top choice for high-tech enterprises looking to scale their operations in the years ahead.Reality Check on Apples $500B InvestmentApples announcement of a $500 billion investment in the U.S., including data centers in Texas, may seem like a massive new commitment. However, it represents a cumulative figure that spans multiple years.Apple has consistently invested billions annually in U.S. infrastructure, manufacturing, and data centers. For example, in 2018, the company pledged to invest $350 billion over five years, and in 2021, it announced an additional $430 billion investment plan.The latest $500 billion figure likely includes previous commitments, ongoing expansions, and routine capital expenditures. While Apples continued investment in Texas is significant, the headline number can be misleading, as it doesnt necessarily indicate a sudden increase in spending. Instead, it reflects Apples long-term growth strategy and ongoing infrastructure projects.Nevertheless, while the focus on Texas aligns with Apples broader efforts to expand its data center footprint, the new investment scale is somewhat less dramatic than it appears.