The 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes
Summary
This episode covers the 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes, honoring research that first makes people laugh and then think. Winners include scientists who defined kissing, studied wealthy people taking candy, analyzed cockroach milk, and investigated proper nose-blowing aerodynamics. Other recipients explored snake bite triggers, splash-free urinals, 3D printing with mosquito parts, and why babies smell better than teenagers. The show also highlights studies on friendship dynamics and a global soil test using buried underwear.
Topics discussed
Introduction to the Ig Nobel Prizes
Sponsor: Quince fall gear and cashmere
Sponsor: Square business tools and payments
Host apology for missing previous years
Background on the Ig Nobel Prizes history
Andre Geim: Winner of both Nobel and Ig Nobel
Biomechanics Prize: Scientific definition of kissing
Economics Prize: Wealthy people taking candy
Chemistry Prize: Nutritional density of cockroach milk
Medicine Prize: Aerodynamics of blowing your nose
Biology Prize: Stepping on venomous snakes
Physics Prize: Designing a non-splashing urinal
Technology Prize: Using dead mosquitoes for 3D printing
Olfaction Prize: Why babies smell good, teens don't
Peace Prize: Liking friends who are mean to enemies
Soil Science Prize: Burying 1,000 pairs of underwear
Outro and production credits
Community groups and review reminder
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