What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
When an earthquake happens underwater on Earth, it can create a tsunami - a ripple effect of gigantic proportions.
Now, a new study says that out in space, supermassive black holes may create tsunami-like structures.
The NASA-funded study was published on June 15 in the Astrophysical Journal. Researchers used computer simulations to model the environment of a supermassive black hole and found that tsunami-like structures can form through gas escaping the black hole’s gravitational pull.
NASA says these structures may be the largest tsunami-like structures in the universe.
A supermassive black hole has a mass that is greater than the mass of a million suns, and is considered the largest category of black holes. These black holes feed off matter and gases that swirl around them, forming a system that astrophysicists call the “active galactic nucleus.”
Strong winds driven by X-ray radiation from the centre of the nucleus create what astrophysics call an “outflow,” pushing matter out of the centre. Within the outflow, the X-rays can produce gas clouds around the black hole.
An artist's depiction of tsunami-like structures that may be created by supermassive black holes. (Illustration by Nima Abkenar)Illustration by Nima Abkenar
“These clouds are ten times hotter than the surface of the Sun and moving at the speed of the solar wind, so they are rather exotic objects that you would not want an airplane to fly through,” said lead author Tim Waters in a news release from NASA.
During the simulations, Waters and his team have found that these clouds can form into waves as the black hole loses grip on the matter. These waves can further spiral into vortex structures that are 10 light-years away from the black hole as they interact with hot winds, NASA says.
The simulations also shows that X-ray from the plasma near the black hole inflates pockets of heated gas within the black hole’s atmosphere, allowing the hot plasma to rise like a balloon and meet the surrounding cooler gas clouds.
This allows the clouds to form a pattern that astrophysicists call a Kármán vortex street, resembling a tsunami structure.
Previous theories have suggested that the clouds form spontaneously through fluid instability or that magnetic fields were involved in propelling cooler gas into the wind.
“While it all makes sense in hindsight, it was initially quite confusing to observe that thermal instability cannot produce cold gas directly, yet it can take the place of magnetic fields by lifting cold gas into the wind,” said Waters.
NASA says these findings have yet to be observed by satellites, but plasma near active galactic nuclei within these black holes have been observed by observatories on Earth at temperatures and speeds consistent with the simulations.
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
A property tax bill is perplexing a small townhouse community in Fergus, Ont.
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
A local Oilers fan is hoping to see his team cut through the postseason, so he can cut his hair.
A family from Laval, Que. is looking for answers... and their father's body. He died on vacation in Cuba and authorities sent someone else's body back to Canada.
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
The federal government says its plan to increase taxes on capital gains is aimed at wealthy Canadians to achieve “tax fairness.”
At 6'8" and 350 pounds, there is nothing typical about UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows.