Cockroach milk and buried underwear among bizarre winners at Ig Nobel Prizes
- The 36th annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony was held in Zurich, Switzerland, marking the first time the satirical science awards have taken place outside the United States.
- Event organisers relocated the ceremony to Europe due to concerns that international scientists and journalists could face visa difficulties amidst Donald Trump’s administration’s immigration crackdown.
- Notable research honoured at this year’s awards included studies into the high energy content of cockroach milk, the evolutionary history of kissing, and how soil organisms break down buried underwear.
- Master of ceremonies Marc Abrahams stated that organisers could not in good conscience ask international guests to travel to the US after visa issues prevented four winners from attending the previous event in Boston.
- The Ig Nobel Prize ceremony will now alternate between European host cities, with Antwerp selected for 2027, and organisers have no immediate plans to return the event to the US.
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