Some scientific questions sound so unusual that they can make people laugh. The Ig Nobel Prizes turn that idea into an annual celebration, recognising research that is funny at first but can also make people think.
The 2026 awards in Zurich highlighted studies covering a remarkable range of topics. Researchers examined everything from buried underwear and snake behaviour to cockroach milk and the science of toilet splashback.
One experiment involved nearly 1,000 pairs of cotton underwear buried in soil. Researchers used the rate at which the fabric broke down as an indicator of biological activity. Since microorganisms help decompose cellulose, the condition of the material could provide clues about soil health.
Another study explored how scientists might define a kiss by comparing kissing like behaviour across different animal species. The research considered factors such as oral contact, mouth movement and whether food was transferred.
Snake researchers also investigated defensive biting behaviour, examining how snakes responded when pressure was applied to different parts of their bodies. Understanding such behaviour can help scientists learn more about animal responses and potentially reduce dangerous encounters.
Even toilet splashback became a research subject. Mathematical modelling and experiments were used to study how the angle of liquid hitting a urinal influences splashing. These studies may sound funny, but they demonstrate an important scientific idea: useful questions can come from unexpected places. The Ig Nobels encourage curiosity and show that even an unusual experiment can lead to meaningful insights.