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.

Virology

Moderna launches human trial for mRNA flu vaccine

Moderna Therapeutics is trialing an mRNA flu vaccine in humans and developing one to protect against seasonal influenza and COVID-19.

Kristin Houser

Virology

Oxford launches HIV vaccine trial

The University of Oxford’s newly launched HIV vaccine trial will test a unique approach to protecting people against the AIDS-causing virus.

Kristin Houser

Agriculture

Disease-resistant pigs may be heading to farms soon

Using gene editing, researchers created disease-resistant pigs that could save the pork industry billions of dollars every year.

Kristin Houser

Biology

Castration linked to younger DNA and biological age

A study measuring biological age in castrated sheep has yielded a discovery that could inform anti-aging research for people.

Kristin Houser

Robotics

Insect-sized robot can run like a cheetah

An insect-sized robot with the agility of a cheetah could one day save lives by assessing disaster zones ahead of first responders.

Kristin Houser

Animals

Should a herd of captive elephants be released into the wild?

Animal conservationists plan to attempt the largest elephant rewilding ever, flying an entire herd from a U.K. zoo to Kenya to be released.

Kristin Houser

Biology

Anyone can now make mouse-human chimeras

A newly published how-to guide for making mouse-human chimeras could lead to treatment breakthroughs for countless diseases.

Kristin Houser

Can AI cameras predict suicide attempts at bridges?

Seoul is deploying an AI-powered camera system designed to predict suicide attempts at bridges and send rescuers to help people in distress.

Kristin Houser

Biology

Mouse embryos with beating hearts grown from stem cells

Mouse embryos with muscles, blood vessels, and beating hearts have been grown from stem cells — bringing lab-grown organs closer to reality.

Kristin Houser

CRISPR

New CRISPR tech could help us create superior crops of the future

A new CRISPR technology that focuses on gene activation rather than deactivation could help us create the superior crops of the future.

Kristin Houser