Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

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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.

A group of people in white coats pursuing a dual degree in medicine and AI standing in a line.

Education

UT med students can now get a dual degree in AI

The University of Texas at San Antonio has launched what it says is the US’s first dual degree in medicine and AI.

Kristin Houser

a stack of three blocks made from low-carbon cement on a blue background

Construction

New low-carbon cement is stronger than the regular stuff

A low-carbon cement developed by two MIT grads has officially exceeded industry standards for strength, durability, and more.

Kristin Houser

A screenshot of a conversation between a self-driving car and a passenger.

Self-driving cars can now tell passengers what they’re thinking

AV startup Wayve has given its self-driving cars the ability to explain their decisions in conversational language.

Kristin Houser

A group of robotic busts with different color lights at their bases

Robotics

First-of-its-kind robot receptionist is like ChatGPT with a face

Engineers have combined the AI model powering ChatGPT with a humanoid bust to create a robot receptionist for the UK National Robotarium.

Kristin Houser

A blue electric car is plugged into an electric charger.

Batteries

EV battery material breakthrough could cut charging times to 6 minutes

A new anode material could allow electric vehicle (EV) batteries to hold more energy and charge up faster.

Kristin Houser

A series of images showing different parts of the human body including human organs.

Biology

Scientists grow “human-ish” organs in pigs for the first time

Partially human kidneys have been grown in pig embryos, marking the first example of anyone growing solid human organs in another species.

Kristin Houser

A recycle bin with a Lithium-ion battery.

Batteries

Batteries made from recycled metal coming to US

Four companies are teaming up to make more eco-friendly lithium-ion batteries by injecting recycled metal into the supply chain.

Kristin Houser

Cancer

Brain implant lets cancer patients try 20 different drugs at a time

A microdevice that injects up to 20 drugs into gliomas at once could help doctors quickly identify the best treatment for cancer patients.

Kristin Houser

A red liquid is being poured into a glass using electro-chemical carbon capture technology.

Climate Crisis

New MIT tech could help the world’s biggest polluters clean up their emissions

MIT is developing a process that could help speed up the adoption of carbon capture technology by making it less energy-intensive.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

T-Minus Weekly: The end of O2 on Mars and the week’s other big space stories

Freethink's weekly countdown of the biggest developments in space, featuring the launch of XRISM, the end of MOXIE, and more.

Kristin Houser