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!

purple-stained microscopic view of heart muscle tissue

Medicine

Scientists treated heart attacks in mice — before they happened

By toggling an important heart gene, scientists have treated mice for a heart attack preemptively.

B. David Zarley

Surgery

New transplant technique cures type 1 diabetes in monkeys

Massachusetts General researchers have developed a new form of transplantation that cured type 1 diabetes in monkeys.

B. David Zarley

woman in hospital bed using nasal disinfecting device

Medicine

Lasers can help prevent surgical site infections in hospitals

Canadian company Ondine is using laser frequencies to help prevent surgical site infections.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Breakthrough study discovers that psychedelics breach our neurons

Researchers have discovered that psychedelics can activate 5-HT2A receptors inside of cortical neurons, a possible cause of their therapeutic effects.

B. David Zarley

silhouette of a virus with a question mark on it

Coronavirus

First at-home test can tell you if it’s COVID or flu

The FDA has granted authorization to an at-home test that can tell COVID from flu, the first of its kind.

B. David Zarley

Robotics

Watch: Robotic window cleaners take to the sky

In a bid to shake up the industry, two Israeli companies will soon deploy robot window cleaners to cities around the world.

B. David Zarley

Cars

Goodyear announces 90% sustainable tire

Made from a variety of recycled and repurposed materials, the tire may be perfectly suited for electric vehicles.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Psychedelics are helping dying patients overcome their existential distress

End of life patients face existential and spiritual challenges other patients do not. Psychedelics may be uniquely suited to helping them.

B. David Zarley

Climate Crisis

You can build a house out of this super-grass material

Plantd is turning to fast-growing grasses to decarbonize construction.

B. David Zarley

Biology

In a first, scientists use AI to create brand new enzymes

In a scientific first, researchers have created brand new enzymes designed with the help of AI.

B. David Zarley