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.

VR experience aims to change people’s perspective of Earth

SpaceVR is trying to recreate the mind-altering “overview effect” experienced by astronauts using a float tank and VR headset.

Kristin Houser

Building Community

“Community fridges” are helping fight food insecurity

Community fridges stocked with donated food that’s free for the taking are helping neighborhoods across the U.S. overcome food insecurity.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine produces more antibodies than infection

Two shots of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine produces more antibodies than a coronavirus infection, according to Phase 1 preliminary data.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Study: Risk of death from COVID-19 is 45% lower on arthritis drug

The arthritis drug tocilizumab may lower ventilated patients' risk of death from COVID-19 by 45%, according to a retrospective study.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Survivors’ plasma might prevent coronavirus infections

Injections of COVID-19 survivors' blood plasma might prevent coronavirus infections, making them a promising stopgap until a vaccine is ready.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Engineers create reusable N95 mask out of rubber

With face masks still in demand, engineers unveil a new reusable N95 mask made of durable, easy-to-sterilize silicone rubber.

Kristin Houser

Addiction

FDA: Smokeless cigarettes produce less harmful chemicals

FDA clears Philip Morris to market its smokeless cigarettes as modified risk tobacco products, which could benefit smokers battling a nicotine addiction.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Natural herd immunity to COVID-19 might be impossible

Coronavirus antibodies can disappear, according to a new study, potentially killing hopes that natural herd immunity will end the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

What we know about how the coronavirus affects the brain

Studies are finding that the coronavirus affects the brain as well as the lungs in some patients, causing delirium, strokes, and even fatal swelling.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Gene writing: A new type of genetic engineering

Startup Tessera Therapeutics has developed gene writing, a new approach to genetic engineering that it says overcomes CRISPR’s shortcomings.

Kristin Houser