Researchers studying the nutritional value of cockroach milk and the mechanics of nose-blowing were among the recipients of this year's Ig Nobel Prizes. The satirical awards, which celebrate "unusual and imaginative contributions to science," were presented Thursday at a ceremony held in Zurich, Switzerland.
This marks the first time in its 35-year history that the Ig Nobel Prizes have been hosted outside the United States, a shift attributed to concerns over attendees obtaining visas. The ceremony has been organized by the digital magazine Annals of Improbable Research.
Teams received custom trophies designed to resemble a hybrid of a mushroom and a human foot. Notable winners included researchers who analyzed soil health by burying 1,000 pairs of underwear in over 25 countries to observe decomposition facilitated by soil organisms. Other honorees investigated the evolutionary history of kissing and the science behind blowing one's nose.
Organizers announced that future ceremonies will alternate between Zurich and other European locations, with the 2027 event scheduled for Antwerp, Belgium. Previous ceremonies were held at institutions like Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "During the past year, it has become unsafe for our guests to visit the country," Marc Abrahams, editor of the magazine and master of ceremonies, previously stated.
The Ig Nobel Prizes are distinct from the official Nobel Prizes, the announcements for which are typically made in early October.