Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

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Kristin Houser is a staff writer at Freethink, where she covers science and tech. Her written work has appeared in Business Insider, NBC News, 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.

Prior to joining Freethink, Kristin was a staff writer for Futurism and wrote several animated and live action web series.

Genetics

First-of-its-kind app lets scientists analyze DNA on the move

Genome sequencing tech is getting more portable. Now, there’s a genome analysis app that puts the ability to study those genomes in scientists’ pockets.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

NASA scientists want to send this robot dog to Mars

A modified version of Boston Dynamics' robot dog Spot could be the ideal Mars rover for exploring caves and other underground structures.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

These chatbots provide genetic counseling services

Genetic counseling services are in high demand. Now, chatbots are providing some of those services, helping patients navigate DNA testing.

Kristin Houser

This VR exoskeleton lets you actually run through virtual worlds

A VR exoskeleton called the Holotron works with a person’s entire lower body to let them control the locomotion of an avatar in VR.

Kristin Houser

Astronomy

See the Milky Way 1.6 million years from now

Using data from the Gaia spacecraft, ESA scientists predict where 40,000 stars in the Milky Way will be 1.6 million years from now.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

The best therapy dog may be a robot

A life-life robot dog might be an effective — or even preferable — alternative to a living therapy dog, according to a new study.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

The new coronavirus mutation: What we know & what we need to figure out

A new coronavirus mutation is spreading quickly in the U.K. Here’s what we know about the coronavirus strain and what we need to figure out.

Kristin Houser

Physics

New atomic clock is the most precise ever created

MIT researchers have created a new kind of atomic clock that exploits quantum entanglement to keep time more precisely.

Kristin Houser

Mental Health

Tweaked psychedelic drug could treat addiction, depression

A modified ibogaine molecule could be a safer and more accessible treatment for addiction and depression than the psychedelic drug in its natural state.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Tobacco-based COVID-19 vaccine moves to human trials

British American Tobacco has FDA approval to begin human trials on a tobacco-based COVID-19 vaccine that could potentially be stored at room temperature.

Kristin Houser