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!

History

Secrets of the Dead Sea Scrolls may be in animal DNA

Scholars' understanding of the Dead Sea Scrolls may be enhanced by an unusual source: the DNA of the animals they’re printed on.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

How to stop COVID-19's killer cytokine storm

COVID-19 can cause a potentially lethal cytokine storm, a runaway immune system response. Researchers are studying drugs they hope can calm the storm.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

How does the coronavirus spread? Expert consensus builds

Scientists are beginning to come to a consensus on coronavirus transmission.

B. David Zarley

Global Development

Starlink internet to begin beta testing

SpaceX’s Starlink internet project promises to use satellites to improve internet access. Beta testers will get the chance to try it later this summer.

B. David Zarley

Animals

Tracking animals from the International Space Station

The ICARUS project looks to use the International Space Station and special bio-loggers to begin tracking animals from space.

B. David Zarley

Hacking

White hat hackers are defending hospitals from rising cyber attacks

Criminals are exploiting COVID-19 to launch cyber attacks. These volunteers have grouped together to fight back.

B. David Zarley

This model may help predict wildfires

Wildfires need dry fuel to thrive. Researchers at Stanford are working on an AI model to measure dryness to help predict, and control, the blaze.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Psilocybin may impact your ego center

You’ve heard about “ego death” on magic mushrooms. New research suggests psilocybin curbs part of the brain that may tie in to ego.

B. David Zarley

Exploring the ocean floor with autonomous underwater vehicles

Efficient, autonomous, and economical, the AUV is quickly becoming essential for underwater research.

B. David Zarley

Aerospace

Space architects are building a home to live on the moon

The space architects of Saga have developed a habitat for people on the moon. Now they want to put it to the test in the endless arctic sun of Greenland.

B. David Zarley