Worcester, MA, USA. A chromosome layer folds into contiguous yarns that harbor groups of genes and regulatory elements, enabling contact for coordinated development work.

This is a new layer in the complex organization of chromosomes, the molecular basis of genetic heredity. Even though chromosomes have remain largely enigmatic since biologist Walther Flemming discovered them in 1882, recent research has begun to unravel some of their mysteries.

Melbourne, VIC, USA. The pulse quickens, the heart pounds and adrenalin courses through the veins, but in stressful situations is our reaction controlled by our genes, and does it differ between the sexes?

Australian scientists, writing in the journal BioEssays, believe the SRY (Sex-determining region Y) gene, which directs male development, may promote aggression and other traditionally male behavioural traits resulting in the fight-or-flight reaction to stress.

Washington, DC, USA. Scientists have completed the genome sequence for the gorilla — the last genus of the living great apes to have its genome decoded.

The findings published in Nature confirm that our closest relative is the chimpanzee, the team show that much of the human genome more closely resembles the gorilla than it does the chimpanzee genome.

Linköping, Sweden. The domestication of chickens resulted in rapid and extensive changes in genome function that are epigenetic in origin (they do not affect the DNA structure).

Daniel Nätt and Per Jensen, zoologists at Linköping University, demonstrated that epigenetic factors play a greater role in the transmission of heritable characteristics than previously thought.

Providence, RI, USA. A genetic alteration has been discovered that helps explain how major stressors during childhood can change the biological risk for psychiatric disorders.

The research published in PLoS ONE suggests that childhood adversity may lead to epigenetic changes in the human glucocorticoid receptor gene, an important regulator of the biological stress response.