Science Wrap: Beer from wastewater, iceberg spectacle, and NASA's streaming platform

This past week has delivered a mix of entertaining and enlightening science updates. From turning wastewater into beer to the James Webb Space Telescope revealing the captivating beauty of a distant cosmic spectacle, the world of science continues to capture headlines. Let's delve into a few noteworthy pieces:

Beer from wastewater

Epic Cleantec, in collaboration with Devil's Canyon Brewing Company, has orchestrated a groundbreaking creation: the Epic OneWater Brew. This innovative beer originates from greywater sourced from a 40-story San Francisco apartment building. A descendant of the German Kölsch-style ale, this beverage boasts a light and crisp profile.

The revolutionary process in use achieves an impressive 95% recycling rate for wastewater, encompassing both blackwater from toilets and greywater from sinks, washing machines, bathtubs, and showers. This ensures a judicious use of this valuable resource.

Here's an overview of the process:

1. Advanced biological treatment eliminates organic matter.
2. Micro-filtration utilizing ultra-thin 0.04-micron membranes (a mere 0.05% of a human hair's thickness) is then employed.
3. Ultraviolet light and chlorine disinfection render the water safe for non-potable applications, including toilet flushing, urinals, irrigation, and laundry.

Within Fifteen Fifty, this remarkable system recycles an astounding 7,500 gallons of water each day, contributing to an impressive annual total of 2.75 million gallons. The purified greywater from the San Francisco apartment complex is harnessed by Epic Cleantec in the crafting of this unique beer.

Epic Cleantec and Devil's Canyon Brewing Company emphasize that this beer serves as a "demonstration project," spotlighting the benefits of water reuse.

ALSO READ: Someone made beer from recycled shower and laundry water. Will you drink it?

NASA+

Introducing NASA+, a novel streaming platform dedicated to space-themed content. The objective is to make the wonders of space exploration more engaging and accessible to a broader audience.

The beta version is anticipated to launch "later this year." In contrast to conventional cable TV, NASA+ offers on-demand streaming, granting viewers the freedom to select their desired content.

This initiative mirrors NASA's proactive response to evolving viewing habits, catering to tech-savvy audiences.

The platform will be available on

• iOS,
• Android,
• Web browsers,

The platform could also be accessed through popular streaming devices like

• Roku,
• Fire TV, and 
• Apple TV.

ALSO READ: NASA's next launch is an OTT platform to let you livestream its space explorations

Iceberg sighting along Newfoundland's coast

The latest massive iceberg off Newfoundland's coast serves as a strong reminder of the rising frequency of iceberg sightings in recent years. This giant block of ice has stunned many and drawn large crowds.

Recent Increase in Iceberg Sightings

For the past three years, iceberg seasons have been relatively mild, but there has been a noticeable surge in iceberg sightings along "Iceberg Alley," the curved stretch of water along Newfoundland and Labrador's eastern coast. Despite this increase, the numbers still fall below the average of the past decade, as reported by the US Coast Guard and International Ice Patrol's July 21 Iceberg Outlook report.

Uncertain Future for Iceberg Seasons

As climate change continues to warm the planet, scientists are grappling with uncertainties surrounding the future of iceberg seasons.

ALSO READ: Giant iceberg surprises folks in Canada's Newfoundland. What it means

Sights of the Ring Nebula 

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has unveiled new images of the famous Ring Nebula, also known as Messier 57. The pictures were released by an international team of astronomers, led by Prof. Mike Barlow from University College London, Dr. Nick Cox from ACRI-ST, France, and Prof. Albert Zijlstra from The University of Manchester.

The Ring Nebula, a well-known object among stargazers, is visible in the Lyra constellation throughout the summer. It lies about 2,600 light-years away from Earth and originated from a dying star that expelled its outer layers into space.

These high-resolution JWST images offer a unique opportunity to study and comprehend the intricate processes that shaped this cosmic masterpiece. "The James Webb Space Telescope has given us an extraordinary view of the Ring Nebula, previously unseen," stated Dr Mike Barlow.