Contributor

B. David Zarley

Senior Staff Writer

Contact

b.david@freethink.com

B. David Zarley is a senior staff writer for Freethink, where he covers health and medicine, including infectious disease, psychedelic research, mental health, and the brain. A graduate of SUNY Fredonia, his work has also appeared in The Atlantic, The Verge, Jezebel, Frieze, Sports Illustrated, VICE, Paste Magazine, and numerous other publications. He lives in Chicago and can be reached via Signal by request. Send him story ideas!

Cars

Tesla Superchargers will soon work with Ford and GM EVs

Ford and GM vehicles will be able to use the 12,000 Superchargers in early 2024, helping potentially set a new charging standard.

B. David Zarley

a robot arm and branch with lanternflies on it

Robotics

Farmers can fight invasive insects with AI and a robotic arm

As the invasive spotted lanternfly threatens to expand its range, Carnegie Mellon researchers are developing a robot to fight back.

B. David Zarley

Disaster Response

AI is riding to the rescue on wildfires

AI-powered systems designed to detect, confirm, and detail wildfires at the earliest possible time may help firefighters tame infernos in the West.

B. David Zarley

Accessibility

Delta debuts spaces for passengers with wheelchairs

Passengers who use a power wheelchair have a uniquely arduous air travel experience. But a new seat looks to change that.

B. David Zarley

Cancer

90% of patients respond to new blood cancer treatment in trial

Israeli researchers have developed a new form of CAR-T therapy effective against multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer.

B. David Zarley

Cancer

Made-to-fade tattoo ink keeps cancer therapy from leaving a mark

Henry Ford Health researchers are using temporary tattoo ink to help radiation therapy patients for whom permanent tattoos may not be an option.

B. David Zarley

Mental Health

The placenta may play a role in the genetic risk of schizophrenia

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that genes associated with schizophrenia risk may impact the placenta, not just the brain.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Ketamine is as effective as ECT for depression, study shows

A trial of patients with treatment-resistant depression found ketamine to be at least as effective as electroconvulsive therapy.

B. David Zarley

a person working wearing Apple's AR headset

Apple announces the Vision Pro XR headset

Apple has unveiled the Vision Pro, a VR/AR headset, at their annual WorldWide Developers Conference.

B. David Zarley

Drones

Watch this autonomous drone deliver beer and peanuts in a baseball stadium

Guests at the opening of an autonomous systems conference witnessed a drone delivery at Denver's Coors Field.

B. David Zarley