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

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

Outer Space

Bacteria could make space mining 400% more efficient

Using a bioreactor packed with bacteria could make space mining more efficient by speeding up the extraction of elements from rock.

Kristin Houser

Medicine

New vanishing wound dressing heals skin with minimal scarring

A new kind of hydrogel dressing improves wound healing and minimizes scarring by kicking the adaptive immune system into gear.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

FDA authorizes first at-home COVID-19 test

The FDA has authorized an at-home COVID-19 test that delivers results in 30 minutes, but you can’t get it without a prescription.

Kristin Houser

Biology

The most detailed map of the human heart

A new map of the human heart details the function and location of 500,000 cells, providing a valuable tool for researchers studying cardiovascular disease.

Kristin Houser

Outer Space

The plan to convert space debris into labs for astronauts

Space services company Nanoracks plans to convert space debris into orbiting “Outposts” that could serve as hotels, research parks, and more.

Kristin Houser

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