Contributor

B. David Zarley

Senior Staff Writer

Contact

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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!

Medicine

New test catches deadly bloodstream infections much faster

Bloodstream infections have a high mortality rate. But a new test to catch them faster could lead to more saved lives.

B. David Zarley

Virology

A newly discovered class of RNA can fight off multiple viruses, including flu and SARS-CoV-2

Harvard-affiliated researchers have discovered a form of double-stranded RNA which may be a potent antiviral.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

Tiny robots completely clear out deadly pneumonia infection in mice

Researchers have created microscopic robots capable of clearing pneumonia from the lungs of mice.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

A modified herpes virus completely wiped out a terminal cancer

In a small phase 1 trial of a herpes-based cancer therapy, one patient had their tumors completely eliminated.

B. David Zarley

Criminal Justice

Biden pardons federal cannabis possession cases, urges states to do the same

The Biden administration is pardoning federal possession offenses, encouraging states to do the same, and reexamining its drug scheduling.

B. David Zarley

Neuroscience

New Alzheimer’s drug slows mental decline by 27% in clinical trial

Eisai and Biogen are reporting that their new Alzheimer’s antibody slowed cognitive decline by 27% in a global trial.

B. David Zarley

Brain

Shape-shifting DNA is helping researchers decode the human brain

Researcher Nako Nakatsuka has turned to DNA to tackle an important challenge: how do we measure chemicals in the brain?

B. David Zarley

Business

From CDs to NFTs: Starbucks’ surprising history of embracing new tech

Starbucks’ newly-announced blockchain platform is just the latest example of the chain’s early embracement of tech.

B. David Zarley

Ecosystems

This floating fence can catch plastic waste before it hits the sea

The majority of oceanic plastic waste comes from rivers and coasts. Floating fences may help stop it at the source.

B. David Zarley

Activism

Starlink turns on coverage over Iran to bypass censorship

Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet is active over Iran, but the terminals to access it must make it inside the country.

B. David Zarley