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!

Coronavirus

“That is insane”: The strange, deadly coronavirus immune response

Research suggests the coronavirus immune response is different than with other viruses. It may help inform treatments and our understanding of COVID-19.

B. David Zarley

Disaster Response

A new way to find people lost at sea

In a search and rescue mission at sea, time is of the essence. A new model may make missions faster — and save lives.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Hospitals, morgues, and drive-ins: Empty stadiums fill new purposes

Their roars dulled, empty stadiums are serving as field hospitals, supply depots, morgues, drive-in theaters … and an Airbnb.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

New drug could provide long-term HIV prevention

HIV prevention typically requires a daily pill. A new, injectable drug may be able to work for over a month at a time.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Gamers are helping find COVID-19 vaccines

Developing COVID-19 vaccines is a challenge. RNA platforms show some promise, but overcoming their drawbacks requires help — perhaps from a video game.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

This company is using beer yeast to make psilocybin

Brewing the magic in Psilocybe cubensis is difficult at scale. One Danish company thinks beer yeast may be the answer.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

This ultrasound connects to an iPhone to help catch COVID-19

Ultrasound can be a useful diagnostic tool for COVID-19. A portable ultrasound machine called the Butterfly iQ may make it safer.

B. David Zarley

Virology

Bats are not the enemy

Researchers are developing options from the domestic to the deific to allow humans and bats to live together in...

B. David Zarley

Can humans figure out how deep learning AI thinks?

Deep learning AI is becoming more complex, capable, and impenetrable, but these scientists are attempting to break the black box.

B. David Zarley

Virology

A nonthermal plasma field can eliminate 99.9% of airborne viruses

Airborne viruses can be tough to stop. A team at Michigan has developed a device that may stop them cold.

B. David Zarley