Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

Contact

kristin.houser@freethink.com

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 UV light safely kills 98% of airborne pathogens indoors

Far-UVC light — a type of ultraviolet light that isn’t harmful to human health — killed 98% of airborne microbes indoors in a new study.

Kristin Houser

3D Printing

3D-printed prosthetic helps big bird beat cancer

After removing part of a great hornbill bird’s casque, Florida veterinarians replaced it with a 3D-printed prosthetic.

Kristin Houser

Transportation

Superjumbo jet engine flies on 100% sustainable aviation fuel

For the first time, an Airbus A380 superjumbo jet flew with 100% sustainable aviation fuel powering an engine.

Kristin Houser

Food

Purple tomatoes could soon hit store shelves

Purple tomatoes modified to be packed with antioxidants found in blueberries could soon be approved for sale by the FDA.

Kristin Houser

Drones

Medical drones to transport blood being rushed to Ukraine

Medical drones are being rushed to Ukraine to help residents get the medical supplies they need in the midst of the war with Russia.

Kristin Houser

Medicine

Wounds of kids with “butterfly disease” healed by DNA gel

A topical gene therapy helped heal the wounds of people with “butterfly disease,” a painful disorder that makes the skin incredibly fragile.

Kristin Houser

Astronomy

Hubble smashes record for farthest star ever seen

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope has smashed its own record for farthest star ever seen with the detection of “Earendel.”

Kristin Houser

Inventions

High schoolers create $1 filter to remove lead in water

Maryland high schoolers have created a filter that removes lead in water. It costs just $1 and alerts users when it needs to be replaced.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

ESA space telescope snaps pic of new NASA neighbor

ESA’s Gaia observatory has snapped a photo of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, its new neighbor at Earth’s second Lagrange point.

Kristin Houser

Medicine

How tattoo machines could revolutionize vaccination

A tattoo machine may be a better delivery method for DNA vaccines than the standard syringe and hypodermic needle.

Kristin Houser