Project launched to fight frog-killing fungus

May 11, 2009 By BRETT ZONGKER , Associated Press Writer

(AP) -- Researchers are heading to Central America to develop ways to fight a fungus blamed for the extinction of dozens of frog and amphibian species.

The Smithsonian Institution is leading the Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project announced Monday. It includes six other zoos and institutes.

Scientists say the chytrid (KIH-trid) threatens to wipe out a third of the approximately 6,000 known amphibian species. Already, conservationists say 122 are believed to have gone extinct in the last 30 years, primarily because of the fungus.

The fungus is found in dozens of countries, including the U.S.

Scientists will study healthy frogs in Panama to see if their natural bacteria can be used to build resistance to the fungus.

©2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Rank not rated yet
Related Stories
Relevant PhysicsForums posts
  • Factors affecting beet root cell membrane
    created21 hours ago
  • Stem cell question.
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • Protease cleavage
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • Pertubance in a model
    createdFeb 10, 2012
  • Cancer drugs and Alzheimer's, Oh my!
    createdFeb 09, 2012
  • Squishing cells
    createdFeb 09, 2012
  • More from Physics Forums - Biology

More news stories

A mitosis mystery solved: How chromosomes align perfectly in a dividing cell

Although the process of mitotic cell division has been studied intensely for more than 50 years, Whitehead Institute researchers have only now solved the mystery of how cells correctly align their chromosomes during symmetric ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created 17 hours ago | popularity 4.5 / 5 (22) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Integrated pest management recommendations for the southern pine beetle

The southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann, is a chronic insect pest within pine forests in the southeastern United States. Under favorable environmental and host conditions, it is an agg ...

Biology / Ecology

created 2 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Researchers find extensive RNA editing in human transcriptome

In a new study published online in Nature Biotechnology, researchers from BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, reported the evidence of extensive RNA editing in a human cell line by analysis of RNA-seq data, demons ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created 17 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

The proteins ensuring genome protection

Researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have discovered the crucial role of two proteins in developing a cell 'anti-enzyme shield'. This protection system, which operates at the level of molecular ...

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created 17 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Entire genome of extinct human decoded from fossil

(PhysOrg.com) -- In 2010, Svante Pääbo and his colleagues presented a draft version of the genome from a small fragment of a human finger bone discovered in Denisova Cave in southern Siberia. The ...

Biology / Biotechnology

created Feb 07, 2012 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (60) | comments 51 | with audio podcast


Ordered planar polymers created for the first time

(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists under the direction of ETH Zurich have created a minor sensation in synthetic chemistry. They succeeded for the first time in producing regularly ordered planar polymers that form ...

New European rocket lifts off on maiden flight

A new lightweight rocket, Vega, lifted off from Europe's space base Monday carrying nine satellites on its inaugural flight, mission control said.

Chinese city seizes Apple iPads in name dispute

(AP) -- Authorities have seized Apple iPads from retailers in a city in northern China due to a dispute with a domestic company that says it owns the iPad name, an official said Monday. The Chinese company said it is asking ...

Microsoft India retail site down after 'cyber attack'

Microsoft India's retail website was down on Monday after reportedly being hacked by a Chinese group calling itself Evil Shadow Team.

Researchers find rate of follow-up surgeries after partial mastectomy varies greatly

(Medical Xpress) -- A study conducted at the University of Vermont/Fletcher Allen Health Care and three other sites and published in the February 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association found significant ...

Rapunzel, Leonardo and the physics of the ponytail

(PhysOrg.com) -- New research provides the first mathematical understanding of the shape of a ponytail and could have implications for the textile industry, computer animation and personal care products.