Nature Podcast

00:45 Iron’s role in mice sex determinationIron deficiency in mice mothers can sometimes result in their offspring developing female sex organs despite having male sex genes, according to new research. While genetics has been thought to be the primary factor in determining offspring sex in mammals, the new work shows that a lack of iron disrupts an enzyme involved in the development of testes, leading to some mice with male sex-determining genes being born with female genitalia and ovaries. This suggests that sex determination is controlled by more than genetics, but more work will need to be done to understand the precise mechanisms involved.News: Male mice can grow ovaries if their pregnant mums are iron deficientResearch article: Okashita et al.06:31 Research HighlightsHow climate change is making dust storms more likely, and understanding the genetics of a boy who couldn’t feel pain.Research Highlight: The perfect storm for dust storms, thanks to global warmingResearch Highlight: CRISP