Marc Abrahams's Blog, page 3

Here are the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize winners.

Ten Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded tonight, September 18, 2025, at the 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. Each winner has done something that makes people LAUGH, then THINK. Here’s video of the ceremony:

TODAY: The 2025 Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony

TODAY, Thursday, Sept 18, at 6 pm (US eastern time): The 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony. A few tickets are available to attend in person. (OR… watch the free webcast). Ten new prizes will be awarded for things that make people LAUGH, then THINK.

Estimating Pig Weight, with Augmented Reality Glasses

A human can estimate how much a particular pig weighs by simply looking at the pig. The accuracy of that prediction is said to improve if the human uses augmented reality glasses of the type described in this study: “Pig Weight Prediction System Using RGB‑D Sensor and AR Glasses: Analysis Method with Free Camera Capture […]

“Creativity of Japanese Researchers as Seen through the Ig Nobel Prize”

The Foreign Press Center of Japan [FPCJ] televised this special preview [in both Japanese and English]  of the Ig Nobel Prize events, and discusses their place in Japanese Society. The FPCJ’s accompanying announcement says: The FPCJ invited Prof. Kiyoshi Furusawa, Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Science Communication Office for Liberal Arts [SCOLA], College of Science, Rikkyo […]

Mayonnaise Is a Thermodynamically Unstable Emulsion

Never forget that mayonnaise Is a thermodynamically unstable emulsion. If you are prone to forgetting, and want a reminder, delve into this study: “Effect of dietary proteins on mayonnaise techno-functionality and rheology: A Review,” Wahab Ali Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Iqra Yasmin, Syed Abdul Wadood, Aiza Qamar, Muhammad Rizwan Javed, Muhammad Saleem, and Crossby Osei Tutu, […]

“The Plight of the GASTROENTEROLOGIST”

“The Plight of the GASTROENTEROLOGIST” is a mini-opera premiering as part of the 2025 Ig Nobel Prize ceremony.

Always Chew Your Food: When Stingrays Eat Tough Insects

The theme of the upcoming 35th First Annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony is DIGESTION. Some humans think of digestion mainly in terms of their own experience, either as eating food or as being food. To expand the mental and digestive horizons of one of those people, suggest to them that they read, or at least […]

Japan and the Ig Nobel Prizes: Press Seminar on September 10

The Foreign Press Center Japan announces: “The FPCJ has invited Prof. Kiyoshi Furusawa to speak on the theme “Creativity of Japanese Researchers as Seen through the Ig Nobel Prize”. He will discuss the characteristics and originality of the past award-winning research and highlight key points to watch in this year’s [Ig Nobel] announcement.” This is […]

Shark Spiral Intestines May Operate as Tesla Valves

If you know one of the many people who are immediately and always deeply fascinated by all things Tesla, make sure your acquaintance is familiar with the shark spiral intestines Tesla valve research study. That study is: “Shark Spiral Intestines May Operate as Tesla Valves,” Samantha C. Leigh, Adam P. Summers, Sarah L. Hoffmann, and […]

Publication Day for Farting Fish

Farting Fish and 49 other weird and wonderful scientific discoveries, a new book about Ig Nobel Prize winners, will officially be published (ISBN 9780711298811) on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. Author Alice Harman and illustrator Sam Wedelich gear it to juvenile readers. That includes at least a piece of everyone’s personality, does it not? Like the […]