Contributor

B. David Zarley

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B. David Zarley is freelance journalist covering health and medicine, including infectious disease, psychedelic research, mental health, and the brain. A graduate of SUNY Fredonia, his work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Verge, Jezebel, Frieze, Sports Illustrated, VICE, Paste Magazine, and numerous other publications.

a robot arm and branch with lanternflies on it

Robotics

Farmers can fight invasive insects with AI and a robotic arm

As the invasive spotted lanternfly threatens to expand its range, Carnegie Mellon researchers are developing a robot to fight back.

B. David Zarley

Disaster Response

AI is riding to the rescue on wildfires

AI-powered systems designed to detect, confirm, and detail wildfires at the earliest possible time may help firefighters tame infernos in the West.

B. David Zarley

Accessibility

Delta debuts spaces for passengers with wheelchairs

Passengers who use a power wheelchair have a uniquely arduous air travel experience. But a new seat looks to change that.

B. David Zarley

Cancer

90% of patients respond to new blood cancer treatment in trial

Israeli researchers have developed a new form of CAR-T therapy effective against multiple myeloma, a plasma cell cancer.

B. David Zarley

Cancer

Made-to-fade tattoo ink keeps cancer therapy from leaving a mark

Henry Ford Health researchers are using temporary tattoo ink to help radiation therapy patients for whom permanent tattoos may not be an option.

B. David Zarley

Mental Health

The placenta may play a role in the genetic risk of schizophrenia

Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that genes associated with schizophrenia risk may impact the placenta, not just the brain.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Ketamine is as effective as ECT for depression, study shows

A trial of patients with treatment-resistant depression found ketamine to be at least as effective as electroconvulsive therapy.

B. David Zarley

a person working wearing Apple's AR headset

Apple announces the Vision Pro XR headset

Apple has unveiled the Vision Pro, a VR/AR headset, at their annual WorldWide Developers Conference.

B. David Zarley

Drones

Watch this autonomous drone deliver beer and peanuts in a baseball stadium

Guests at the opening of an autonomous systems conference witnessed a drone delivery at Denver's Coors Field.

B. David Zarley

Outer Space

NASA spots an enormous water plume erupting on Saturn’s ocean moon

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers are gaining new insights into Enceladus, which holds a sea beneath its icy surface.

B. David Zarley