Contributor

B. David Zarley

Senior Staff Writer

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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!

Education

Stanford study finds AI improves the performance of teachers and students

Stanford researchers have developed an AI that can provide useful feedback to teachers, helping them to increase student uptake.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

Pill version of obesity drug reduced weight almost 13% in new trial

Novo Nordisk has announced positive results for an oral version of the popular weight loss drug sold as Ozempic and Wegovy.

B. David Zarley

Medicine

CRISPR uncovers possible antidote for death cap mushroom poisoning

Researchers have figured out how the mushroom's main toxin enters human cells — and maybe how to stop it.

B. David Zarley

Transportation

Autonomous public transportation rolls out in Arizona

Sun City, Arizona has launched a free transit system featuring self-driving cars for its retirement-age residents.

B. David Zarley

Animals

Something found in bats could help us survive infections and inflammation

This protein may help bats survive viral infections and could be the springboard for new anti-inflammatory drugs.

B. David Zarley

Biology

Discovery finally uncovers how melanin blocks UV

An international team of researchers have isolated and analyzed a component of melanin, which protects us from the sun.

B. David Zarley

Drugs

Psychedelic inspires discovery of two new drug candidates for depression

Researchers have found ibogaine-inspired compounds effective in treating depression and addiction in mouse models.

B. David Zarley

Surgery

First-in-US brain surgery performed in Boston

A surgical team has performed a surgery that alleviated a dangerous brain condition before it was too late.

B. David Zarley

Biology

A new organelle has been found in cells

Researchers have discovered a new organelle in the guts of fruit flies.

B. David Zarley

Ecosystems

Adorable robot lawn mower can help save the bees

B. David Zarley

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