Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

Contact

[email protected]

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.

Volunteers

These kids are mowing lawns for people in need

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Raising Men Lawn Care Service has seen a surge in youths volunteering to mow lawns for those in need.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Personalized blood test for cancer hunts down tumor DNA

A newly unveiled personalized blood test for cancer monitoring has a sensitivity 10 times that of existing liquid biopsy methods.

Kristin Houser

Biology

Building a factory for human organs

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine experts are working to mass-produce human organs through the ARMI consortium.

Kristin Houser

3D Printing

The world's first floating 3D printed house

A group in the Czech Republic is using a 3D printing robot to construct what it claims will be the world’s first floating 3D printed house.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

Your smartphone can help end police misconduct

There are now apps, websites, and phone shortcuts designed to help you not only document police misconduct, but also report and protect it.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

Converting prisons into farms, community centers, and shelters

Across the U.S., prisons, jails, and detention centers are being transformed from facilities that confine people into ones that support them.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

Why Juneteenth (June 19) could soon be a national holiday

Across the U.S., companies and governments are starting to officially recognize Juneteenth, the June 19 holiday also known as Black Independence Day.

Kristin Houser

CRISPR

Gene therapy hailed as cure for sickle cell disease

A gene therapy that uses CRISPR to edit a patient's own stem cells looks like a “functional” cure for sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

Rethinking public safety: Are police always needed?

The mobile mental health service CAHOOTS handles public safety calls related to mental or behavioral health for the Eugene Police Department.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

This Atlanta jail is being replaced with a "center for equity"

A decarceration project will see a 1,100-bed Atlanta jail transformed into a “Center for Equity” to serve the local community.

Kristin Houser