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Benjamin Plackett

Contributor

Benjamin Plackett is a science journalist based in London and the Middle East. He especially likes to write about drugs and addiction -- both legal and illicit. Benjamin's work has been published byWired, CNN Health and Scientific American. He holds a master's degree in journalism from New York University. 

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@benjplackett

Author articles

Numerous chickens in an enclosed area, on a dirt floor, with pipes and machinery running through the crowd

Culture

Listeria or Hysteria? Why Brits Fear American Chlorinated Chicken Imports

What does the science say about the safety of America’s chicken farming practice?

Benjamin Plackett, Contributor

Technology

The Science of Dismantling a Nuclear Bomb

Once the tricky political agreements have been reached, how do nations take apart their nuclear weapons?

Benjamin Plackett, Contributor

The photo shows more than 15 lettuce plants growing atop two rows of boxes with black tops, green leaves spreading out from the center, as tubing curls between the boxes.

Space

Overcoming the Challenges of Farming on Mars

Scientists are trying to perfect a technique for growing crops in space so that astronauts have enough food to get to Mars and back.

Benjamin Plackett, Contributor

Technology

Three Share Chemistry Nobel Prize for a Revolution in Evolution

The 2018 Nobel Prize in chemistry will go to Frances H. Arnold, George P. Smith and Sir Gregory P. Winter for research on enzymes, peptides and antibodies.

Benjamin Plackett, Contributor

Human

BRIEF: The Virome Project Aims to Prepare Before the Next Pandemic

Scientists want to identify the hundreds of thousands of viruses that could potentially spill over from wildlife into humans.

Benjamin Plackett, Contributor

Human

Tipsy-Turvy: Does Dry January Do You Any Good?

The health benefits of a month without alcohol are unclear, and the British and Canadian medical authorities recommend several drink-free days per week.

Benjamin Plackett, Contributor

See all articles by Ben Plackett