Biologists Develop a Frog Sauna to Help Them Survive Fungal Infections

Amaze Lab

When we’re feeling in need of rejuvenation we might head to a sauna to relax and refresh. Well, it turns out frogs suffering from a common fungal infection can sort of do the same in this: a sauna made of everyday brick.

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00:00When we're feeling in need of rejuvenation, we might head to the spa to relax and refresh.

00:07Well, it turns out frogs suffering from a common fungal infection can sort of do the

00:11same thing in this, a sauna made of everyday brick.

00:15The fungal infection attacks some 500 amphibian species and has contributed to the decline

00:20of the green and golden bell frog.

00:22That species has seen some 90% of their population disappear from their native habitats in Australia,

00:28which is why researchers were keen to figure out a way to get rid of the destructive fungal

00:31infection called chytrid, one that goes after the amphibian skin and makes it difficult

00:36for the creatures to take in electrolytes and fluids.

00:39Luckily, chytrid can only thrive in cooler temperatures and dies when the mercury rises

00:43past 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:46While infection rates go up in the winter, the frogs still prefer warmer temperatures,

00:50meaning providing them a warm brick sauna haven, which is attractive to them, can also

00:54lower their infection rate at the same time.

00:56And the biologist's hypothesis worked, with the researchers noting that the simple brick

01:00saunas not only reduce mortality after infection, but the frogs are 23 times more likely to

01:05survive reinfection in the future.

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