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.

Animals

Bomb detectors record rare pygmy blue whales singing

Underwater microphones used to listen for signs of nuclear bomb testing have captured the singing of a population of rare pygmy blue whales.

Kristin Houser

Transportation

Can a 40-seat drone bus get off the ground?

Startup Kelekona is developing an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle capable of carrying 40 passengers at once.

Kristin Houser

Agriculture

Disease-resistant banana created with CRISPR

African scientists have used CRISPR to create a disease-resistant banana that is indistinguishable from unmodified plants.

Kristin Houser

Biology

Microscopic animals revived after 24,000 years in permafrost

A multicellular animal called the bdelloid rotifer has used cryptobiosis to survive in the Siberian permafrost for at least 24,000 years.

Kristin Houser

Inventions

Vibrating “thimble” could improve balance in seniors

A wearable that delivers a painless vibration to a person’s fingertip if it senses postural sway could one day help improve balance in seniors.

Kristin Houser

Coronavirus

Moderna COVID-19 vaccine 2.0: Lower dose, fewer side effects

Any revised version of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine will likely include a smaller dose, reducing side effects and increasing the supply of shots.

Kristin Houser

Engineering

The world’s deepest pool will host astronaut training in the UK

U.K. company Blue Abyss has submitted plans to build a massive aquatic facility in Cornwall, England, and its centerpiece will be the world’s deepest pool.

Kristin Houser

Genetics

Editing one gene extends mouse life expectancy by 23%

By modifying just one gene, researchers were able to extend the life expectancy of mice by 23%, and they think their results may translate to humans.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

Japan’s transforming moon rover gets help from toy company

Japan is sending a transforming moon rover to the lunar surface in 2022 to collect data that will inform an upcoming crewed mission.

Kristin Houser

Fixing Justice

Minnesota stops separating newborns and incarcerated mothers

The Healthy Start Act makes Minnesota the first state to stop the practice of separating incarcerated mothers from their newborns soon after delivery.

Kristin Houser