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He invented mini saunas for frogs – now this biologist has big plans to save hundreds of species
- Anthony Waddle conducts winter tests using frog-sized brick saunas to raise temperatures and reduce chytrid infection in green and golden bell frogs.
- The froggy saunas appeared to make recipients more resistant to chytrid when re-exposed after winter.
- Researchers are exploring gene replacement and transgenic techniques to aid reintroduction of endangered frogs.
- Synthetic biology is being considered as a conservation tool to boost genetic diversity and disease resistance.
- The project aims to scale solutions across multiple Australian species and ecologies for long-term impact.
- Experts describe the work as a ray of hope amid the global amphibian extinction crisis.
- The chytrid fungus has already wiped out about 90 frog species and threatens more than 500.
- The work touches on ethics and risk, as synthetic biology can raise questions about unintended consequences.
- If successful, the methods could enter wild releases as part of broader conservation strategies.
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