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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Photo: Antifreeze-Like Blood Lets Frogs Freeze and Thaw With Winter's Whims


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Wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), such as this Alaska native, can create an antifreeze-like solution in their blood that lets them literally freeze and thaw in winter with no ill effect.

Scientists hope that better understanding this rare ability will help create methods for minimizing damage to organs that are put on ice before being used in human transplants.

Photograph by Michael S. Quinton/NGS