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!

Drones

Underwater gliders could soon run off of the ocean’s changing temperatures

California company Seatrec wants to bring their temperature-harnessing generator technology to underwater gliders.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

New test can show if you’ve had COVID-19, even if antibodies fade

The FDA has approved a T cell test for COVID, a first-of-its-kind assay that looks to the immune system’s memory.

B. David Zarley

Virology

Existing chemo drugs could offer a potential Ebola treatment

Capable of causing highly lethal disease, Ebola treatment is a public health priority. A new study shows chemo drugs may do just that.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

Duke scientists find a potential vaccine for UTI

Despite being common, painful, and persistent, there’s currently no vaccine treatment for UTIs. But a new method has shown promise in mice.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

NYU is launching a center for psychedelic medicine

NYU’s Center for Psychedelic Medicine will serve as the nexus for the school’s psychedelic research, as well as provide training to budding researchers.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Great apes get vaccinated against COVID-19

Great apes, our closest living relatives, are susceptible to COVID-19. The San Diego Zoo has given some an experimental vaccine to protect them.

B. David Zarley

Public Health

Can RNA create a malaria vaccine?

An effective malaria vaccine could save hundreds of thousands of lives each year. Can RNA vaccines like the ones fighting SARs-CoV-2 tackle another disease?

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Researchers have discovered how SARS-CoV-2 is mutating

SARS-CoV-2 mutations, which cause new variants of the virus, are eluding the virus’s proofreader. New research shows why.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

First-of-its-kind pilot study uses MDMA for alcohol addiction

A small, first-of-its-kind study has piloted the use of MDMA for alcohol addiction therapy.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

Radioactive bone cement may help treat spinal tumors

External radiation can damage bones and cause side effects. Radioactive bone cement directly into the spine may be a better option.

B. David Zarley