Ig Nobel Prizes Awarded

Every year, the Nobel Foundation awards the scientists who have made giant contributions to our understanding of nature.  Similarly, the Journal of Improbably Research recognizes scientific endeavors that make you laugh and then make you think.


The 2010 Winners were announced last week:

• Medicine- Riding roller coasters can alleviate the symptoms of asthma
• Physics- Wearing the socks outside your shoes will decrease your chances of falling on ice
• Peace- Swearing relieves pain.
• Engineering- Scientists collected whale snot with remote control helicopters
• Public Health- Bearded scientists collect more bacteria
• Chemistry- BP disproved the adage, Oil and water don't mix.
• Management- Offices work more efficiently if promotions are given randomly.
• Biology- Scientists observed fellatio in fruit bats

As we laugh and then think about these results, this week the Nobel Foundation will begin releasing the winners of the Nobel Prizes.  In some cases, reality presents profound ideas that must be uncovered through careful research and deep thinking.  In other cases, reality is absurd, but interesting.