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.

Aerospace

“Space tug” tows dead satellite into a new orbit

China has used a space tug to change the orbit of a defunct satellite, proving it’s a viable way to clean up some old space junk.

Kristin Houser

Engineering

MIT’s new material is stronger than steel and as light as plastic

A new material out of MIT that’s stronger than steel and as light as plastic could one day coat smartphones, hold up bridges, and more.

Kristin Houser

Medicine

Monkeys’ alcohol consumption drops 50% after hormone therapy

Heavy-drinking monkeys cut their alcohol consumption by 50% after researchers treated them with a hormone called “FGF21.”

Kristin Houser

Blockchain

NFTs are extending the life of street art

To extend the life of their street art, creators are linking them to NFTs that can then live on the blockchain in perpetuity.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

NASA offers $1 million prize for prototypes to grow space food

NASA’s Deep Space Food Challenge will give away $1 million in exchange for prototypes that could help feed astronauts on long-term missions.

Kristin Houser

3D Printing

Is metal 3D printing ready for the factory floor?

Metal 3D printing could potentially cut the cost of manufacturing cars, consumer tech, and more — if it can scale.

Kristin Houser

Surgery

Magnetic “seed” heats and kills tumors in new cancer therapy

A novel cancer therapy uses a magnetic “seed” to precisely target and kill brain tumor cells without the need for open brain surgery.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

NASA plans to destroy the ISS in 2031

NASA will deorbit the International Space Station in 2031 by sending it plunging into the Pacific Ocean's “spacecraft cemetery.”

Kristin Houser

Medicine

MIT tests pill to deliver RNA vaccines and therapies

A tortoise-inspired capsule designed by MIT can deliver RNA vaccines and other nucleic acid therapeutics without injections.

Kristin Houser

Homelessness

Open-source DIY heater helps unsheltered stay warm in winter

A DIY heater that is safe to use in tents and costs just $7 to make is helping unsheltered people across the U.S. stay warm this winter.

Kristin Houser