Articles by: Ben Biggs

Ben Biggs is a keen and experienced science and technology writer, published book author, and editor of the award-winning magazine, How It Works. He has also spent many years writing and editing for technology and video games outlets, later becoming the editor of All About Space and then, Real Crime magazine.

Save up to 50% on a 'How It Works' magazine subscription for Black Friday

By Ben Biggs published 21 November 22

Get a half-price How It Works magazine subscription in our 2022 sale

An adenocarcinoma (one of the deadliest cancers that starts in the mucus cells of an organ) of the exocrine pancreas.

The 10 deadliest cancers, and why there's no cure

By Ashley P. Taylor last updated 21 September 22

reference Here's a look at the cancers with the poorest rate of survival, and the reasons why.

How It Works issue 168 - 7 Modern World Wonders

How It Works issue 168: Discover 7 Wonders of the modern world

By Ben Biggs last updated 31 August 22

reference A cathedral over 140 years in the making, a molecule magnified by 165 billion times, a tower with a 660,000-kilo golden heart and more.

An adult copperhead snake, often found camouflaged among leaf litter.

Copperhead snakes: Facts, bites & babies

By Jessie Szalay, Ben Biggs published 31 July 22

Reference Copperhead snakes are common in North America, and have the distinction of biting more people in the United States than any other snake.

Discover "10 Weird things you never knew about your brain" in issue 166 of How It Works magazine.

How well do you really know your own brain?

By Ben Biggs published 7 July 22

Inside How It Works 166: Discover 10 of the strangest facts about your brain.

Geiger counter: Design, facts and uses

By Scott Dutfield published 19 April 22

Reference Geiger counters use the natural process of ionization to detect and measure radiation levels

How It Works issue 163 - the nervous system

How It Works issue 163: Your nervous system explained

By Ben Biggs published 12 April 22

Discover the intricate network of specialised cells that make up your nervous system, and how this command center controls everything from thinking to walking.

A cancer diagnosis of lung cancer, showing up in an axial plane chest MRI scan.

Cancer diagnosis: Detection, testing and research

By Ben Biggs, Ailsa Harvey published 6 April 22

Reference Cancer can affect any part of the body, requiring doctors to employ robust methods such as MRI scans, blood tests and computed tomography to detect and classify it.

A diagram showing the seasons: Autumnal and Vernal Equinoxes, Winter and Summer Solstices as the Earth orbits the sun.

Equinox: Definition, facts & what happens during one

By Sarah Wild last updated 17 March 23

REFERENCE Equinoxes occur twice a year when the sun is directly above the equator, and herald the beginning of spring and autumn.

A forest in the Czech Republic, decimated by acid rain from a nearby power plant.

Acid rain: Causes, effects and solutions

By Alina Bradford, Ben Biggs published 16 March 22

reference Acid rain is any form of precipitation that contains acidic components, such as sulfuric or nitric acid. It affects nearly everything: plants, soil, trees, buildings and even statues.

The medical symbol of snakes intertwined around a staff is today, instantly recognisable.

Why is the medical symbol a snake on a stick?

By Remy Melina, Ben Biggs published 11 March 22

Life's Little Mysteries investigates the meaning behind the medical emblem of two snakes entwined around a rod.

Riders swing on a giant amusement park swing ride.

What are centrifugal and centripetal forces?

By Jim Lucas, Ben Biggs published 7 March 22

reference Centrifugal and centripetal are two closely related forces that describe circular motion, but the meanings are often mixed up.

Three weeks into being pregnant, some women may experience mild cramping

Three weeks pregnant: What to expect

By Elaine J. Hom, Ben Biggs published 24 February 22

Reference In the third week of pregnancy, there won't be any major outward changes in a woman's body, but some pregnancy symptoms may have started.

A colon cleanse is probably not a good idea, unless you're preparing for a colonoscopy.

Do you really need a colon cleanse?

By Cari Nierenberg, Ben Biggs published 24 February 22

reference A colon cleanse is all the rage among wellness buffs. But health experts say that they aren't helpful and can actually be dangerous.

orca killer whale looking out of the water at sunset, off Kaldfjorden in Norway.

Orcas: Facts about killer whales

By Alina Bradford, Patrick Pester last updated 28 October 22

reference Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphin family.

How It Works 161: how the internet works

The Internet: Do you know how it works?

By Ben Biggs published 17 February 22

Learn how you can access information from over the world, and beyond, in How It Works 161.

Pineapple: Nutrition facts and health benefits

By Jessie Szalay, Ben Biggs published 14 February 22

reference Spiny on the outside, sweet on the inside, pineapples are one fantastic fruit.

Popeye reaches for a can of spinach, which gives him super-strength

Spinach: Health benefits, nutrition facts (& Popeye)

By Jessie Szalay, Ben Biggs published 8 February 22

Reference Spinach is Popeye the Sailor Man's favorite veggie for good reason: it's dense in vitamins and minerals, low in calories and may help with several health conditions.

How It Works issue 160: Disaster cleanup

How It Works issue 160: What caused the world's worst catastrophes?

By Ben Biggs published 3 February 22

In the latest issue of How It Works: How we cleaned up the world's worst human-made disasters, how radar works, why we get addicted, the history of flight, and can we control the weather?

The classic Periodic Table organizes the chemical elements according to the number of protons that each has in its atomic nucleus.

How the Periodic Table of the Elements is arranged

By Charlie Wood, Ben Biggs published 13 December 21

Reference The elements in the periodic table are arranged according to the transition from metal to nonmetal elements.

25 strangest sights on Google Earth

By Ben Biggs last updated 25 October 22

Reference Courtesy of Google Earth, check out some strange highlights of our planet, in lieu of a whirlwind trip round the world.

A chemist in a lab coat. Most people think chemistry is something done in lab, but you practice aspects of chemistry everyday.

What is chemistry?

By Alane Lim, Ben Biggs published 5 November 21

Reference Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances, and how substances interact with energy.

Almonds and other nuts are good sources of riboflavin, also called vitamin B2.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Sources, benefits and dosage

By Alina Bradford, Ben Biggs published 5 November 21

reference Riboflavin is a B-complex vitamin that helps the body break down carbohydrates, proteins and fats to produce energy.

Two women with similar personality traits laughing in conversation.

Personality traits & personality types: What personality type are you?

By Stephanie Pappas, Ben Biggs published 3 November 21

REFERENCE What makes you, you? Psychologists sketch out personality traits using the "Big Five".

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