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.

Education

Doctors need to learn what illnesses look like on darker skin

Medical student Malone Mukwende wrote a book to teach others how to spot clinical signs of illness on patients with darker skin tones.

Kristin Houser

Healthcare

New blood test for cancer could lead to earlier diagnoses

A new blood test for cancer that can detect the disease four years before symptoms appear could one day be used as a routine cancer screening tool.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Scientists organize concert to study COVID-19 transmission

To better understand the potential for COVID-19 transmission at live events, scientists are organizing a free concert by pop singer Tim Bendzko.

Kristin Houser

Astronomy

Massive 3D map of the universe fills in “troublesome” gap

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has released the largest 3D map of the universe ever created, detailing 11 billion years that were previously uncharted.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Inhaled coronavirus drug shows promise in small trial

An inhaled coronavirus drug containing interferon beta decreased patients’ chances of becoming severely ill by 79%, according to its creator.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

The case for teaching students outside this fall

Transitioning to outdoor classrooms this fall could help stem the spread of COVID-19 in schools and protect students, according to researchers.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine triggers strong immune response

An Oxford COVID-19 vaccine triggered the creation of antibodies and T cells in trial participants, according to promising results published in The Lancet.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

How to explain falling COVID-19 mortality rates

COVID-19 mortality rates are dropping in the U.S. and other nations — a few theories explain why more people are surviving the coronavirus.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

"T cells" could provide immunity after antibodies fade

T cells that combat SARS-CoV-2 have been discovered in people who never had COVID-19, potentially putting natural herd immunity within our grasp.

Kristin Houser

Biology

Scientists 3D print a heart pump that can beat on its own

Scientists 3D print a heart pump capable of beating on its own — and the organoid could have a big impact on heart research.

Kristin Houser