
Benjamin Plackett
Benjamin is a freelance science journalist with nearly a decade of experience, based in Australia. His writing has featured in Live Science, Scientific American, Discover Magazine, Associated Press, USA Today, Wired, Engadget, Chemical & Engineering News, among others. Benjamin has a bachelor's degree in biology from Imperial College, London, and a master's degree in science journalism from New York University along with an advanced certificate in science, health and environmental reporting.
Latest articles by Benjamin Plackett

Why are Armenia and Azerbaijan fighting over the Nagorno-Karabakh region?
By Benjamin Plackett published
Azerbaijan is emboldened because it now feels like Turkey has its back.

Can a cat parasite control your mind?
By Benjamin Plackett published
This parasite may manipulate your brain to make you take more risks.

Are carrots orange because of a Dutch revolutionary?
By Benjamin Plackett published
No, but the crown did popularize the orange carrot.

Can carrots give you night vision?
By Benjamin Plackett published
No, Churchill just really wanted Brits to eat more carrots.

Why doesn't the US use the metric system?
By Benjamin Plackett published
Identity, politics and good, old fashioned resistance to change.

Why do some men take so long to poop?
By Benjamin Plackett published
They're probably not just pooping; the restroom is a safe place for them to ponder life's great questions.

How do our eyes move in perfect synchrony?
By Benjamin Plackett published
Here's how the brain helps us move our two eyes in perfect synchrony.

Was Freud right about anything?
By Benjamin Plackett published
Sigmund Freud had some provocative ideas about the human subconscious.

Why do some men have red beards, but not red hair?
By Benjamin Plackett published
It all boils down to genetics.

The Obscurity Of Science: Do The Hungry Live Longer?
By Benjamin Plackett published
Can experiments on insects say anything about human health?

Study Finds Most Drug Commercials Misleading
By Benjamin Plackett published
Ads for over the counter drugs are worse than those that require a prescription.
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