by Fern Shaw | Jan 30, 2024 | Water, water boiler, Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers
You might be thinking that Aquaporins are a new product from AquAid. You’d be wrong – although the name is reminiscent of pouring water, so perhaps not such a stretch.
But what are they exactly?
Dumb bunny explanation:
Membranes which replicate the way nature removes salt from water, for example in the kidneys or in mangroves.
Slightly less dumb bunny explanation:
An aquaporin is a specialized protein located in the cell membrane of body cells. It forms the mechanism responsible for pumping water into and out of the cell as needed. Aquaporins are part of the large family of major intrinsic proteins, proteins that form pores or channels in the cell membrane, and work to regulate the composition of the inside of the cell.
The aquaporin was discovered by Peter Agre of Johns Hopkins University in 1992. Agre won the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery. He discovered aquaporins serendipitously during a study on the Rh blood group antigen, confirming long-held suspicions by the scientific community that a mechanism for transporting water across the cell membrane existed.
Aquaporins conduct water into and out of the cell, but prevent the movement of ions and other solutes across the cell wall. A specialized form of aquaporin, called an aquaglyceroporin, does allow the movement of some solutes into and out of the cell, but like regular aquaporins, it does not allow charged particles, or ions, to pass through. Some solutes that aquaglyceroporins allow to cross the cell membrane are ammonia, carbon dioxide, and urea. The types of solutes allowed through by aquaporins depend on the size of the protein channel.
How else could Aquaporins benefit mankind?
They could dramatically reduce the energy needed in desalination and the scope there is far reaching – think space suits.
Remember, with AquAid’s water coolers; water; boilers – you won’t need any desalination set up – as you’ll have a consistent supply of refreshing drinking water (and of course, your clever body will take care of the rest).
by Fern Shaw | Dec 3, 2023 | instant tap, water boiler, Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers
December is a month chock full of occasions, annual observances and traditions.
A brief glance:
03 – 04 Dec –Tree Dressing Day
06 Dec – St. Nicholas Day
11 Dec – International Mountain Day
21 Dec – Winter Solstice
the list goes on.
This may be due to December being a pivotal period of the year as we enter the final transition from late autumn to winter and the close of yet another year. Although the dropping temperatures and increase in blustery weather may make it difficult to believe, it’s still officially autumn until 21 December.
With so many observances, traditions and events on the go this month it’s easy to understand that we may let our changing hydration needs slip by the wayside despite there being a simple and cost-effective solution. A solution as simple as switching from a chilled drinking water dispenser to a cool and piping hot drinking water dispenser.
With AquAid, you’re spoilt for choice – we supply a wide range of top-quality water coolers, water boilers and Instant Taps – all backed by our superlative services pre, during and post installation.
We invite you to visit our informative website and browse our water cooler selection, suitable for all industries and any size staff contingent, then contact our helpful team via e-mail, telephone or at the website.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 24, 2022 | mains fed water cooler, Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers
Maintaining good hydration habits is generally easier when the weather is warm. Oftentimes though, these habits can be difficult when the weather turns cool.
How we combat this trend though is actually easier than we think.
Make drinking water convenient. Installing a water cooler at your work premises, office, warehouse, medical or educational facility is a sure-fire way to ensure you have constant access to refreshing drinking water.
At AquAid, we offer a no-obligation, free on-site survey to assess what water dispenser needs you have and what combination of hot water boilers, bottle-fed water coolers or mains-fed water coolers best suit your requirements.
App your drinking water. You read that right. Use your mobile as your drink water alarm clock or download one of the many apps designed for just this purpose.
Turn up the temperature. If you’re the type of person that loathes drinking cold water, there is a solution. Warm up your water! If you have an AquAid hot water dispenser or hot water boiler installed, heating your drinking water isn’t even necessary! Just dispense, add your preferred brew or fruit slice and away you go.
Hydration on hand. Whether you have access to a water cooler or boiler or not, an effective reminder is to keep a reusable water bottle or water glass on your desk as well as a tote able water bottle with you when you’re on the move and/or if you rely on public transport. Otherwise, also keep a refillable water bottle in your car/lorry/van.
by Fern Shaw | Mar 21, 2022 | mains fed water cooler, touch free water coolers, Water Boilers, Water Coolers
The theme for World Water Day 2022 is Groundwater.
From the World Water Day website:
- Groundwater is invisible, but its impact is visible everywhere.
- Out of sight, under our feet, groundwater is a hidden treasure that enriches our lives
- Almost all of the liquid freshwater in the world is groundwater.
- As climate change gets worse, groundwater will become more and more critical.
- We need to work together to sustainably manage this precious resource.
- Groundwater may be out of sight, but it must not be out of mind.
The good news is that even if you are not directly involved in this year’s World Water Day, as an AquAid customer, you are already helping with the continued implementation of sustainable water projects utilising ground water, to provide potable water, water to grow crops and water for productive use for thousands of communities in water poor regions across Africa.
With each Mains Fed Water Cooler installation and every bottle of water purchased, we donate a portion of those sales to the charities we have supported for more than twenty-three years: Christian Aid, since 1998 and The Africa Trust – an AquAid founded charity – since 2010.
If you are not yet an AquAid customer, but appreciate how we work, we will be more than happy to help introduce you to our range of water dispensers, Touch-Free water coolers and water boilers.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 15, 2021 | instant tap, Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers
November is a month chock full of occasions, annual observances, traditions and remembrances.
A brief glance:
01 Nov – All Saints’ Day
02 Nov – All Souls’ Day
04 Nov – Diwali
05 Nov – Guy Fawkes Night
the list goes on.
This may be due to November being a pivotal period of the year as we enter the final transition from late summer to winter and the close of yet another year. Although the dropping temperatures and increase in blustery weather may make it difficult to believe, it’s still officially autumn in November.
With so many observances, traditions and events on the go this month it’s easy to understand that we may let our changing hydration needs slip by the wayside despite there being a simple and cost-effective solution. A solution as simple as switching from a chilled drinking water dispenser to a cool and piping hot drinking water dispenser.
With AquAid, you’re spoilt for choice – we supply a wide range of top-quality water coolers, water boilers and Instant Taps – all backed by our superlative services pre, during and post installation.
We invite you to visit our informative website and browse our water cooler selection, suitable for all industries and any size staff contingent, then contact our helpful team via e-mail, telephone or at the website.
by Fern Shaw | Nov 4, 2021 | Water Boilers, water cooler, Water Coolers
When temperatures decrease to single digits, it’s understandable that our impulse to slow down, exercise less and drink less water, increases.
This impulse, however, isn’t that good for our health and well-being overall. As it happens, there are loads of options we can take in the winter months that actually aren’t that difficult to follow and can keep as summer lean in the process.
Keep exercising
I’m not suggesting that you swim the Channel or go running in minus ten degree weather, but if you attend a gym, health fitness club, or simply walk or jog around your area, keep up with it. In cold months, your exertions will keep you nice and toasty while exercising, instead of trying to continuously cool down when you’re exercising in the summer months. Just remember to keep hydrated. You can become just as dehydrated when it’s cold as you can when it’s warmer. Drink water, lots of it.
If you don’t have access to a fitness club, exercise at home – there is tons of information on YouTube; on social media or on the internet in general that can give you adequate instruction on exercise regimes you can follow to keep toned up.
Bulk up with tasty, healthy food
Again, the instinct (which is hard wired into our genetic code) is to eat rich, fatty foods when it’s colder so we can bulk up and insulate ourselves. Thing is, we’re not seals and we don’t live in the Arctic (even if some days if may feel like it). There are loads of options to eat hearty, warming food without packing on the weight.
The food in season right now is plentiful and it makes good sense, because if you eat with the seasons, it keeps your spend on food down, as in-season food is more readily available.
From pears to parsnips and mackerel to mussels, there’s such a wide range food available this autumn, you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Do not stop drinking water!
Throughout all of this, keeping up with exercising, eating the right food: the most important cooler weather regime is to keep up with drinking water.
If you are averse to cold water, then drink hot water – hot water infused with lemon or indeed any citrus – is a fantastic get up and go to begin the day.
If you’re dispensing drinking water from your water cooler in your office or workplace and the water’s a bit chilly, you can always adjust the thermostat or opt for a hot & cold water dispenser – AquAid has a wide range of high-quality water coolers, hot water boilers and hot & cold Instant Taps.
