Short Takes – 11-23-24

Underwater volcano-like structure is spewing gas off Alaska's coast, US Coast Guard says. LiveScience.com article. Pull quote: “The structure may be spewing gas, based on data collected from the water above it, but the scientists still aren't certain. Whether the structure turns out to be a volcano or not, it is 5,250 feet (1,600 m) deep at its shallowest point, meaning it poses no risk to navigation, according to a statement.”

Eggs are getting scarcer and pricier ahead of the holidays. Here's why. CSBNews.com article. Pull quote: “After a brief respite from bird flu among commercial-egg producers, HPAI struck again starting in mid-October, resulting in the loss of 2.8 million birds. The nation's egg production fell 2.6% last month from a year ago and is projected to be down 1% this year versus 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service recently said in a monthly report.”

California Case Is the First Confirmed Bird Flu Infection in a U.S. Child. MedPageToday.com article. Pull quote: “Officials said they were investigating how the child was infected. California health officials previously said in a statement that they were looking into a "possible exposure to wild birds."”

The ISS has been leaking air for 5 years, and engineers still don’t know why. Arstechnica.com article. Pull quote: “"The Russians believe that continued operations are safe, but they can't prove to our satisfaction that they are," said Cabana, who was the senior civil servant at NASA until his retirement in 2023. "And the US believes that it's not safe, but we can't prove that to the Russian satisfaction that that's the case.”