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That Would Explain the Zebra Fish Boom in Home Aquariums

Hey, zebra fish researchers: you've got a new set of admirers. The New York Times offers this Q&A with biologist Steven Farber, who in his spare time heads up a nonprofit group that brings zebra fish to inner-city classrooms in an attempt to teach kids about genetics and the scientific approach in general. Farber says the seven-year-old organization has been successful in capturing children's attention, and that zebra fish in particular have got kids "hooked." Recalling the first time he tried this, he says, "I was able to show live fish embryos. The kids could see organs forming. ... Afterward, the children said it was the best part of their day."

 

The Scan

Positive Framing of Genetic Studies Can Spark Mistrust Among Underrepresented Groups

Researchers in Human Genetics and Genomics Advances report that how researchers describe genomic studies may alienate potential participants.

Small Study of Gene Editing to Treat Sickle Cell Disease

In a Novartis-sponsored study in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that a CRISPR-Cas9-based treatment targeting promoters of genes encoding fetal hemoglobin could reduce disease symptoms.

Gut Microbiome Changes Appear in Infants Before They Develop Eczema, Study Finds

Researchers report in mSystems that infants experienced an enrichment in Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Finegoldia and a depletion of Bacteroides before developing eczema.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treatment Specificity Enhanced With Stem Cell Editing

A study in Nature suggests epitope editing in donor stem cells prior to bone marrow transplants can stave off toxicity when targeting acute myeloid leukemia with immunotherapy.