Kristin Houser
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.
Old herpes drug helps kill deadly Klebsiella superbug
It weakens the bacteria so that the immune system can destroy it.
Molten salt reactors could save nuclear power
They are expected to be cheaper to build and even more reliable than today’s nuclear plants.
NASA detects 50+ methane “super-emitters” from space
Methane is a shorter-lived but more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Cleaning it up could have a quick impact on global warming.
Experimental “FLASH” cancer treatment aces first human trial
There may be a faster, less-painful way to use radiation against cancer.
Brain-zapping tech can improve memory by more than 50%
The DARPA-funded memory prosthesis helps the brain retain new information.
World’s first cloned Arctic wolf is now 100 days old
This pup puts us one step closer to resurrecting extinct species.
China has discovered a brand new Moon mineral
It could one day fuel nuclear fusion reactors.
Americans are becoming more likely to cooperate with strangers, not less
Americans are more willing to put the greater good above their own interests today than in the 1950s.
Insulin pills could end the need for painful injections
These dissolvable pills aren’t meant to be swallowed, though.
This simple kit converts your regular bicycle into an e-bike in minutes
The Rubbee X requires almost no setup and is far cheaper than a brand new e-bike.
Purslane, a common weed, has a “superpower” that could help feed the planet
A common weed uses uncommon types of photosynthesis.
Smartphones might actually be improving your memory
The phenomenon of “digital dementia” might not be real after all.
Oxford scientists develop a cheap nasal spray that cuts COVID risk by 62%
It’s simple to make, easy to use, and should work against any variant.
NASA was “completely wrong” about the asteroid Bennu
The surface of asteroid Bennu is more like a plastic ball pit than the Moon.
CRISPR cure for high cholesterol enters first human trial
It could permanently lower cholesterol — and permanently reduce your risk of having a heart attack.
You can now buy a flying car for $92,000
More than 150 companies are developing flying cars. Here's why they're aren't yet off the ground and darting across city skies.
Humans are evolving a new artery
More humans are being born with a third arm artery, an example of microevolution happening right before our eyes.
Former NHL enforcer builds an incredible electric airplane
From Amazon to the US Army, everybody wants one (or 150).
This luxury solar electric car could go 7 months without recharging
Deliveries of the $250k Lightyear 0 will start in November 2022.
$26K solar car now has a factory — and will roll out this year
Aptera expects to begin delivering its solar-powered car later in 2022.
MIT proposes Brazil-sized fleet of “space bubbles” to cool the Earth
An out-of-this-world idea could help reduce some of the risk of solar geoengineering.
U.S. plans to put nuclear-powered spacecraft in orbit by 2026
Experts believe they could cut the time it takes a rocket to reach Mars by up to 25%, shaving about two months off the trip.
Virginia launches world’s biggest 3D-printed housing project
One home was printed in 28 hours. Now, Alquist 3D is building 200 more.
MIT invents $4 solar desalination device
It could make enough drinking water for a family of four.
MIT’s new heat engine beats a steam turbine in efficiency
It has no moving parts and could allow us to tap into renewable energy year round.
Discovery of “impossible” superconductor promises 100x faster electronics
In a major advance, scientists have found a new and groundbreaking way to force electrons to flow only in one direction in a superconductor.
Chinese rover makes surprise discovery about liquid water on Mars
Data from the Zhurong rover suggests the Red Planet was wet more recently than we thought.