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!

Virology

New “future-proof” drug can fight COVID-19 and the common cold

Researchers have identified a compound capable of stopping multiple coronaviruses in cell and tissue models.

B. David Zarley

Clean Energy

Extra-salty lithium battery less likely to catch fire

Stanford researchers have developed a battery electrolyte that can allow lithium-ion batteries to operate safely at much higher temperatures.

B. David Zarley

Public Health

Breakthrough drug cures sleeping sickness with one dose

A new, one-dose treatment for lethal sleeping sickness was 95% effective at clearing the parasite from patients.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

These tiny bubbles are “warheads” for killing cancer

By combining tiny nanobubbles with ultrasound, Israeli researchers showed they can destroy tumors.

B. David Zarley

Diplomacy game AI can negotiate, form alliances, and persuade people

The game of Diplomacy, based on social skills, has long been seen as a tough challenge for AI. But Meta’s CICERO has proven itself up to the task.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

Deadly disease treated in the womb for the first time

In a medical first, doctors were able to prevent heart and muscle damage using enzyme replacement therapy.

B. David Zarley

Virology

UK study suggests single dose of monkeypox vaccine is 78% effective

A new analysis by the UK Health Security Agency has determined that one shot of a monkeypox vaccine is 78% effective at preventing infection.

B. David Zarley

Mental Health

Study finds mindfulness as effective as medication for anxiety

An intensive form of mindfulness was found as effective as Lexapro in treating anxiety in adults in the first head-to-head comparative study.

B. David Zarley

Virology

Moderna to develop mRNA vaccines for Ebola

Moderna is reportedly nearing a deal with the DoD to develop mRNA vaccines for biological threats like Ebola

B. David Zarley

Public Health

African researchers push for a human challenge trial to fight TB

Tuberculosis kills over a million people a year. Researchers in Malawi are pushing for a clinical trial that may help change that.

B. David Zarley