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.

At-home breast cancer screening, powered by AI

An award-winning at-home breast cancer screening device, called the Blue Box, could one day replace uncomfortable mammograms.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

Reusable rockets: Making space more affordable

Reusable rockets, like those developed by SpaceX, are ushering in a new, cheaper era in space exploration

Kristin Houser

Urban Living

Google’s Tree Canopy Lab is helping LA cool down

Google’s new Tree Canopy Lab uses AI and aerial photography to combat the urban heat island effect by showing a city exactly where it could use more trees.

Kristin Houser

Mental Health

Stopping nightmare disorder with a prescription-only watch

A prescription-only watch that treats nightmare disorder is the latest in a growing subset of health technologies called prescription digital therapeutics.

Kristin Houser

CRISPR

CRISPR could help save coral reefs from bleaching

Using CRISPR, scientists have identified a gene that could determine whether coral reefs are highly susceptible to bleaching or not.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

When will we have a COVID-19 vaccine?

Several developers have reported incredible coronavirus vaccine progress, so when will we have a COVID-19 vaccine ready for distribution?

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Oxford says its COVID-19 vaccine is up to 90% effective

The University of Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine was up to 90% effective in a phase 3 trial and could be easier to distribute than other coronavirus vaccines.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

How long will coronavirus immunity last?

Coronavirus immunity might last for years, according to a new study that measured the levels of virus-fighting immune cells in COVID-19 survivors.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

New skin cancer vaccine is twice as powerful

By adding two “boosters” to an in-development skin cancer vaccine, scientists may have improved its ability to prevent melanoma recurrence.

Kristin Houser

Engineering

Scientists want to use a laser beam to control lightning

A new laser beam may allow scientists to control lightning, allowing them to divert a bolt to strike where it’s less likely to cause a wildfire.

Kristin Houser