Algae Sex Determination - A recent breakthrough in understanding how sperm and egg cells arose comes from work in Algae. A paper published in Current Biology reports that a male specific gene expressed in sperm cells may have its origins in an isogamous ancestor, that is, a species that has no ‘male’ or ‘female’ gametes, but reproduces simply by exchange between two mating ‘types’.

French Fries without the Fuss - French fries are made from a variety of potato called the Russet Burbank. This is mostly a practical choice - Burbanks store well and are not easily bruised. However, a better yielding potato variety with lower acrylamide levels (Russet Ranger) may soon supplant the Burbank due to some clever bioengineering. Scientists have used a gene-silencing technique to eliminate the Russet Ranger weaknesses: poor storage capability and bruising susceptibility.

Poisonous Poinsettias? It’s all bunk. - Research shows that Poinsettias are not particularly poisonous.