Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

Contact

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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

Trial suggests Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine is 95% effective

Another win for mRNA vaccines: Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective at preventing COVID-19, according to initial trial data.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

New “universal” diagnostic test can ID any infection

UC San Francisco scientists have developed a new diagnostic test that uses DNA sequencing to quickly identify any pathogens in any type of patient sample.

Kristin Houser

Computer Science

Scientists create modem for future quantum internet

Physicists have created a modem for the quantum internet of the future, giving powerful quantum computers a way to share information.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

Brewery is world’s first factory fueled by iron powder

A Dutch brewery is using iron powder to generate clean energy, marking the first industrial use of iron fuel.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

This robot will put your contact lenses in for you

A man in Florida has invented a contact lens robot to insert or extract lenses for people with hand tremors or dexterity issues.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Gene therapy shows promise as a glaucoma treatment

A new gene therapy was able to repair a damaged optic nerve in mice, suggesting it might be useful for treating glaucoma in people.

Kristin Houser

Transportation

Experimental hyperloop pod transports passengers for first time

Virgin Hyperloop has transported two passengers in a hyperloop pod, a milestone in the development of the high-speed transportation system.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appears 95% effective (updated)

The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appears to be 95% effective at preventing coronavirus infections, according to an early analysis of a Phase 3 trial.

Kristin Houser

Mental Health

Psilocybin therapy appears to dramatically reduce depression

Psilocybin therapy — a combination of traditional therapy and supervised “trips” on the magic mushroom compound — shows promise as a depression treatment.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

"Autoantibodies" may be causing COVID-19 blood clots

COVID-19 blood clots may be caused by autoantibodies, which attack the body’s own tissues and organs instead of intruders.

Kristin Houser