Genetic scientists have identified one of the most rapidly-evolving chunks of DNA in the human genome, and they believe that it may be the piece of code that influences our ability to perform complex thoughts. The gene expresses only in the cortical region of the brain, and does so during a critical period of embryonic development. Its exact function is as yet unknown, but when you’re trying to uncover a secret it always helps to know whereabouts you should be looking.

A new solar cycle, predicted to be a hectic and tempestuos one, may have begun at the end of last month. NASA solar physicists spotted a ‘backwards’ sunspot (one whose magnetic poles are opposite to the usual orientation) on July 31st, and have tentatively suggested it could be the herald of the next eleven year solar cycle. Of course its orientation, combined with its unusual latitude, could be a random fluke. But ‘cycle 24’ is on its way, sooner or later – it may be that it has just decided to cohabit with 23 for a few years.

The Googleplex has launched their free wifi service in their home town of Mountain View in California, jumping the gun due to the barrage of positive feedback and join-up requests they’ve had since they rolled out the beta. Of course, their plans for municipal networks elsewhere are more likely to be financially motivated, and this is doubtless a great bit of un-evil PR for them, but even so they surely deserve some credit for giving something back to the community where they are based.

Much as I hate to make sweeping statements about scientists, a few notable exceptions apart, they aren’t known for their garrulous media-whoredom. Grigory Perelman, a staggeringly intelligent Russian mathematician, is about to make the most retiring lab-lurker look like a reality TV reject. He’s recently solved one of the longest-standing mathematic mysteries, Poincare’s conjecture, but is still lurking well away from the limelight, and is expected to refuse to accept a major award next week. Little is known about him beyond his work, but to judge from the reactions of his fellow mathematicians, that work speaks volumes on his behalf.

It’s the little things, done by many, that can make a difference on a global scale. Water is becoming something we never expected it to be, even here in the West – a commodity in limited supply, something that needs to be used sparingly. One use of water that could be cut back a great deal is the flushing of toilets, and a new design of the classic piece of bathroom furniture could help us all do our bit, if you’ll excuse the phrase. The Propelair WC employs air pressure for increased performance, and hence uses a mere 1.5 litres per flush, as opposed to the 9 litres of the average UK toilet.