Benjamin is a freelance science journalist with 15 years of experience and is based in the United Kingdom. His writing has featured in Live Science, Scientific American, the Associated Press, Chemical & Engineering, and Nature, among others. He has a 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.
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What determines a person's height?At birth, height can be predicted to within an inch or two.
By Benjamin Plackett Last updated
genetics -
Why did Rome fall?Depends on which Rome you're asking about.
By Benjamin Plackett Last updated
human-behavior -
What was the largest empire in the world?You can argue for the British, Persians, Romans, Mongols or pretty much any empire you want.
By Benjamin Plackett Last updated
romans -
Does coffee really stunt kids' growth?It's probably fine to give your child weak coffee, as long as you skip the sugar.
By Benjamin Plackett Last updated
food-drink -
Did the Great Wall of China work?The Great Wall of China was built to defend the empire from enemy armies, but now it acts as a unifying symbol and a useful propaganda tool for the ruling Communist Party.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
When did Constantinople become Istanbul?Istanbul has had many names, including Byzantium, New Rome and Constantinople. It didn't officially become Istanbul until 1930.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
Did all roads lead to Rome?So long as you're travelling to Rome.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
Why do faces become less symmetrical with age?The aging process doesn't happen equally on both sides, leaving the human face increasingly less symmetrical with age.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
surgery -
Why do you sometimes gain weight after exercising?Why do people sometimes gain weight after they start to exercise regularly?
By Benjamin Plackett Published
exercise -
Where did watermelons come from?New evidence shows that watermelons were first domesticated in Sudan, leading experts to think the region rivals Iraq as a cradle of agriculture.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
food-drink -
When did the Brits and Yanks become allies again after the Revolutionary War?While often strained, the U.K.-U.S. relationship got a boost when Roosevelt and Churchill became drinking buddies.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
What was the deadliest day in US history?It's impossible to know for sure the deadliest day in U.S. history because you can end up comparing apples with oranges.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
health -
Is Latin a dead language?Latin is alive and well, but Julius Caesar might struggle to understand its modern form.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
Why were the ancient Egyptians obsessed with cats?If cats were loved, why were so many sacrificed?
By Benjamin Plackett Published
cats -
Did Marie Antoinette really say 'Let them eat cake'?No, the misquote is an example of French revolutionary propaganda.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
arts-entertainment -
Is an electric car better for the planet?It's almost impossible to argue that gasoline-powered cars are better for the environment.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
electric-vehicles -
When did lap dogs become popular?Trends, set by royals and movies, help to influence a dog breed's popularity.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
Why do the queen's guards wear such tall hats?To scare off the queen's enemies.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
How many early human species existed on Earth?As we continue to unearth ancient remains, the number of early human species grows.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
primates -
How many French revolutions were there?It's open to debate, but a lot of the 19th century was spent in open revolt.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
Why was Stonehenge built?No one really knows, but there are a few educated guesses.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
archaeology -
How wild was the Wild West?While officially lawless, settlers usually weren't all that wild.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
human-behavior -
How does a secure phone line work?Encryption tech can be either hardware or software.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
communications -
What color is the sun?You probably learned this at school.
By Benjamin Plackett Published
the-sun

