Zika infection causes developing cranial cells to secrete neurotoxic levels of immune molecules New research shows that cranial neural crest cells can be infected by the Zika virus, causing them to secrete high levels of cytokines that can affect neurons in the developing brain.

Prions can pass on beneficial traits, study finds Researchers have found nearly 50 helpful prions in yeast and comparable proteins in humans, suggesting that this dreaded protein type can boost survival and plays a role in evolution.

First-year bioscience students welcomed as ‘new partners in discovery’ Chosen from a pool of 1,959 applicants, the 122 new Stanford graduate students in the biosciences have begun classes.

Community advisory board a new resource for Stanford researchers The Community Advisory Board for Clinical Research is made up of Bay Area residents who can provide insights and advice to investigators on recruiting study participants from a broad range of ethnicities, cultures, ages and economic backgrounds.

Air-bag helmet could reduce impact of head in bike crashes Drop tests from as high as 2 meters show that an air-bag helmet may reduce impact by as much as sixfold compared to traditional bike helmets.

Gene could help explain insulin resistance Shutting off a gene implicated in insulin resistance leads to damaged mitochondria and decreased exercise capacity in mice.