Since 2019, I have contributed dozens of stories to Dark Daily, a free e-newsletter that covers developments of interest to managers in clinical laboratories and anatomic pathology groups. It is produced by The Dark Intelligence Group, which also publishes The Dark Report, a subscription newsletter for the same audience.
Most stories in The Dark Report are based on interviews with experts such as pathologists and attorneys. In contrast, most stories in Dark Daily are based on content published elsewhere, including studies, press releases, and news reports. However, some of my Dark Daily stories feature exclusive interviews.
You can find my contributions on the Dark Daily website. Here’s a sampling.
FDA Grants First-Ever Clearance of Clinical Laboratory Blood Test for Alzheimer’s Detection
Published June 23, 2025
In May 2025, the FDA announced that it had issued a 510(k) clearance the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio test from Fujirebio Diagnostics, Inc.
This is the first time the agency has cleared a blood test for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The test is an alternative to invasive diagnostic techniques such as spinal taps. Read it here.
Living Legend William Dettwyler, MT, Looks Back at Seven Decades in the Clinical Laboratory Profession
Published Feb. 14, 2025
A profile of coding and billing consultant William Dettwyler, who retired in 2025 at age 92. When he began working in a clinical laboratory, Harry Truman was U.S. president and scientists had not yet discovered the structure of DNA. Read it here.
Brigham and Women’s Hospital Researchers Develop Blood Test That Enables Rapid Diagnosis of LVO Stroke in Non-hospital Settings
Published Oct. 23, 2024
Researchers in Massachusetts said they had developed a test that can be used at point-of-care to diagnose ischemic large vessel occlusion (LVO), one of the deadliest types of strokes. Read it here.
Mayo Clinic Scientists Use Chemical Analysis of Beethoven’s Hair to Determine Lead Poisoning May Have Contributed to Composer’s Hearing Loss and Other Health Ailments
Published July 19, 2024
An example of how modern diagnostic techniques can help solve a historical mystery. Read it here.
Harvard and Google Scientists Studying Connectomics Create Massive Highly Detailed 3D Nanoscale Model of Human Neural Tissue
Published June 17, 2024
This assignment introduced me to a new term. “Connectomics” refers to the study of connections in the nervous system. Read it here.
Preparing for Z-Codes as DEX Genetic Testing Registry Rolls Out to Commercial Health Plans
Published April 22, 2024
An interview with Gabriel Bien-Willner, MD, PhD, who oversees a coding system used in billing for certain molecular diagnostic tests. Read it here.
Two Healthcare Attorneys Discuss Remedies for Medical Laboratories Facing Financial Distress Due to COVID-19
Published April 12, 2020
During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, attorneys Richard S. Cooper and Jason M. Smith offered advice to laboratories facing financial difficulties due to the outbreak.
The pandemic hiked demand for testing, but it also increased operating costs and reduced the volume of elective procedures. This story was based on my interviews with the attorneys. Read it here.
Medical Laboratories Need to Prepare as Public Health Officials Deal with Latest Coronavirus Outbreak
Published March 2, 2020
This story, from the earliest days of the outbreak, was based in part on my interview with Bodhraj Acharya, PhD, of the Laboratory Alliance of Central New York.
At the time, the CDC was conducting all testing for COVID-19, but Acharya warned labs that they should be prepared to step in. We cautioned that the outbreak was a “fast-moving story,” but we had no idea what was to come. Read it here.
