{
  "id": 6328971,
  "title": "Cockroach Milk, How to Blow Your Nose, and Mosquito Printers: The Ig Nobels of 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/cockroach-milk-how-to-blow-your-nose-and-mosquito-printers-the-ig",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-08T21:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Wired",
    "slug": "wired",
    "url": "https://www.wired.com/story/cockroach-milk-mosquito-printers-ig-nobels-of-2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded in Zurich, Switzerland, with ten research projects honored for their unusual and unexpected findings. One award recognized the scientific definition of a kiss, which the researchers defined as a non-agonistic interaction involving directed intraspecific oral-oral contact with movement of the lips or oral structures and without the transfer of food. Other winners included a study on how socioeconomic status may lead to increased unethical behavior, a discovery of nutritious \"cockroach milk\" produced by certain species of cockroaches, and a posthumous award to a scientist who studied the correct way to blow one's nose. In the biology category, researchers determined that stepping on a snake's tail increases the likelihood of a defensive bite, while a physics prize was awarded for designing an optimal urinal angle to minimize splashback. A technological innovation recognized was the use of dead mosquito proboscises as fine needles for 3-D printing, and a family-oriented prize highlighted how parents often perceive their children's body odor more favorably than teenagers. The Peace Prize went to those who prefer mean friends, and a soil science award celebrated the use of old underwear to assess soil health through the \"underwear index.\" All ten ceremonies are now available online.",
  "summary": "Every year, the prizes recognize the weirdest research that often raises some very serious scientific questions.",
  "key_points": [
    "Researchers define kiss scientifically as non-agonistic oral-oral contact",
    "Cockroach milk discovered as nutritious food source by certain species",
    "Posthumous Ig Nobel awarded to scientist studying proper nose blowing"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Wired Science",
        "title": "Cockroach Milk, How to Blow Your Nose, and Mosquito Printers: The Ig Nobels of 2026",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/cockroach-milk-how-to-blow-your-nose-and-mosquito-printers-the-ig-6330391",
        "published": "2026-09-08T21:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}