Contributor

Kristin Houser

Managing Editor

Contact

[email protected]

Kristin Houser is the Managing Editor of Freethink. Her articles on science and technology have been featured in NBC News, RealClearDefense, and the World Economic Forum’s Agenda, among other publications, and Stephen Colbert once talked about a piece on “The Late Show,” to her delight.

Kristin is currently based in Pittsburgh, and prior to joining Freethink, she was a staff writer for Futurism, launched an LA-based music blog, and wrote several animated and live action web series.

Genetics

Can the woolly mammoth save Siberia from climate change?

Harvard geneticist George Church’s new de-extinction startup aims to resurrect the woolly mammoth to help combat permafrost thaw.

Kristin Houser

Astronomy

Mystery of Chinese supernova solved after 800 years

A new study explains where the mysterious “Chinese supernova” went after disappearing from the night sky more than 800 years ago.

Kristin Houser

Addiction

Trial of opioid vaccine launches in US

An opioid vaccine that prevents people with opioid use disorder from feeling “high” when they take oxycodone is moving to human trials.

Kristin Houser

Medicine

mRNA cancer treatment shrinks tumors in mice

An mRNA cancer treatment in human trials has proven incredibly effective in mice, shrinking tumors in 85% of the rodents tested.

Kristin Houser

Agriculture

Scientists toilet-train cows to reduce air pollution

To combat the negative environmental impact of cow urine, researchers have proven it's possible to potty-train calves.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Moderna’s new vaccine targets COVID-19, the flu, and RSV

Moderna is developing a combination vaccine to protect against COVID-19, seasonal influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

Mars colonies could be built from astronauts’ blood and urine

To minimize the cost of building Mars colonies, astronauts could make concrete using space dust and their own bodily fluids.

Kristin Houser

Engineering

UK building road with “wonder material” graphene

The United Kingdom is launching a world’s first trial to test whether adding graphene to recycled asphalt can increase a highway’s lifespan.

Kristin Houser

Criminal Justice

Ex-felon helps former prisoners launch careers in tech

The Underdog Devs nonprofit helps former prisoners make the connections they need to secure jobs in the technology industry

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

All-civilian Inspiration4 mission is ready for launch (Updated)

When Inspiration4 launches on September 15, it'll mark a new era in space tourism as the first all-civilian mission to space.

Kristin Houser