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.

Coronavirus

An “old school” COVID-19 vaccine appears to work in monkeys

An in-development COVID-19 vaccine has protected animals from catching the novel coronavirus for the first time, according to the team behind it.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Tons of groups are improvising coronavirus PPE. But who will test it?

A newly formed group is gathering designs for coronavirus PPE and coordinating with testers to make sure the makeshift supplies are safe for use.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

DNA might be able to explain varying coronavirus symptoms

Scientists are looking for genetic factors that could explain varying coronavirus symptoms amongst seemingly similar COVID-19 patients.

Kristin Houser

Drugs

An LSD trip “off-switch” may be coming soon

Pharmaceutical startup MindMed is developing tech it believes could serve as an “off switch” for an LSD trip during therapy sessions.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

At-home test kits, new vaccine developments, and more COVID-19 updates

In our weekly news roundup, we take you inside the fight against COVID-19 to explore the solutions on the frontlines of an unprecedented global response.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

We may need fewer ventilators for COVID-19 patients than we expected

A new study found that healthcare workers may be using ventilators for COVID-19 patients when they really don’t need to be.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

FDA authorizes first at-home coronavirus test kit

The FDA has authorized LabCorp’s at-home coronavirus test kit, meaning people no longer need to leave their houses to find out if they have COVID-19.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

A new device is protecting healthcare workers from airborne coronavirus

Researchers have developed a system for protecting healthcare workers while they treat coronavirus patients in need of respiratory support.

Kristin Houser

Paleontology

Scientists find what looks like DNA in a dinosaur fossil

Researchers have found what appears to be DNA in a dinosaur fossil — a discovery that could radically change our understanding of DNA’s ability to survive.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Ghana uses drones to speed up coronavirus testing

In Ghana, Zipline is helping speed up coronavirus testing by using drones to deliver test samples, and it wants to bring the service to the U.S.

Kristin Houser