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.

Drugs

Morning glories may be a source of new psychedelics and medicines

Researchers have found that the symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a morning glory holds the potential for new psychedelic compounds and medicines.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Traditional Thai cannabis cooking is back on the menu

Cannabis cooking has long simmered in Thailand. With the ruling junta’s new drug policies, the traditional dish is now making its way onto restaurant plates.

B. David Zarley

Animals

Using robotic fish to harness the “ecology of fear”

To fight an invasive fish threatening Australia’s critically endangered freshwater natives, researchers are looking to robotic predators — and the “ecology of fear” they create.

B. David Zarley

Coronavirus

Researchers are testing neural stimulation as a long COVID treatment

Small pilot trials of two different types of external electrical brain stimulation suggest the technique may work as a long COVID treatment.

B. David Zarley

Astronomy

Astronomers have found the biggest group of rogue planets yet

Using ground telescopes and satellite observations taken over decades, researchers have identified the largest number of wandering rogue planets yet.

B. David Zarley

Virology

Researchers find a new target for a universal flu vaccine: the “anchor”

There’s a new target in the battle for a universal flu vaccine: the "anchor,” a part of the virus’ proteins less likely to mutate.

B. David Zarley

Chatting with my own HereAfter

HereAfter AI’s Legacy Avatar is an AI-powered digital twin. But what’s it like to talk to yourself?

B. David Zarley

Surgery

This robotics lab wants to develop the dream surgery

Chicago’s Surgical Innovation Training Lab is developing the robots, surgeons, and digital surgeries of the future.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

5 clinical trials may bring new hope in 2022

Vaccines, gene therapies, and even an anti-aging pill: These are the clinical trial results we are looking forward to in 2022.

B. David Zarley

Extraterrestrials

MIT is leading the hunt for life in Venus’ atmosphere

MIT is leading a privately-funded hunt for life in Venus’ clouds, scheduled to begin in 2023.

B. David Zarley