Piers Willstone

The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly that lays its eggs in the wounds of livestock and other animals and feeds on their flesh.

It was a devastating pest for the cattle industry in the 1900s before a massive eradication program largely vanquished the fly from the U.S.

Jason Sawyer, chief science officer for East Foundation, a nonprofit and ranching operation, says his industry has been preparing for this.

The eradication strategy largely relies on releasing millions of sterile male flies that mate with wild females, which causes the population to decline over time.

Will Stone, NPR News.

Three companies are submitting drug applications to the FDA.

Two are for psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms for treating depression.

The third is for a drug that's similar to MDMA, which has shown promise for PTSD.

FDA is giving out special vouchers that are intended to expedite the agency's review of the drugs.

It does not mean the drugs are FDA approved yet.

This comes on the heels of an executive order from President Trump that directs federal health agencies to prioritize research on psychedelics.

Scientific interest in these drugs for treating mental health has grown substantially in the last few years, though an effort to get MDMA approved for treating PTSD fell short in 2024.

Will Stone, NPR News.