Contributor

Kristin Houser

Staff Writer

Contact

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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.

Climate Crisis

Lasers from space create unique new map of Earth’s forests

A lidar instrument on the ISS has been used to create a near-global 3D map of the Earth’s biomass for conservation and climate research.

Kristin Houser

Inventions

Could you sniff out counterfeit whiskey?

An “electronic nose” that can accurately identify a whiskey’s brand, region, and style could help combat the sale of counterfeit whiskey.

Kristin Houser

Bionics

Bedridden woman stands again thanks to spinal implant

A spinal cord stimulator is helping a woman who was bedridden for 18 months because she fainted every time she stood up regain her mobility.

Kristin Houser

Aerospace

NASA’s massive SLS rocket is one test away from launch

NASA's moon-bound SLS rocket is at Kennedy Space Center and ready for its wet dress rehearsal — the last major test before launch.

Kristin Houser

Astronomy

Farthest galaxy from Earth discovered by Tokyo astronomers

Astronomers have discovered a new farthest galaxy from Earth, and it could change what we thought we knew about the early universe.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

Cheap molten salt battery can store energy for months

A low-cost molten salt battery that can store energy for months could allow us to tap into renewables year round.

Kristin Houser

Animals

One-horned rhino population increases by 200 in four years

A census of the one-horned rhino population at Kaziranga National Park found that the vulnerable species is on the rise.

Kristin Houser

Clean Energy

"Geogrid" helps cut home energy bills to just $1 per month

Austin’s Whisper Valley housing development uses geothermal heat pumps and solar panels to slash residents’ energy bills.

Kristin Houser

Medicine

A common arthritis drug treats alopecia (Updated)

A common arthritis drug may be an effective alopecia treatment, based on a trial in which it helped people regrow their hair in just 36 weeks.

Kristin Houser

Inventions

Squid skin inspires heat-regulating coffee cup

Inspired by squid skin, UC Irvine engineers have created a cheap, easy-to-recycle material that can be “tuned” to regulate heat.

Kristin Houser