The 2005 Ig Nobel Awards

Science can be a funny thing.  To prove it, the scientific humor mag Annals of Improbable Research sponsors the annual Ig Nobel Awards - for ten achievements that "first make people laugh, and then make them think."  In years past, various recipients have been lauded for research showing that the presence of humans makes ostriches horny, studies showing that herrings apparently communicate by farting, and for patenting the combover.

This year's recipients did not disappoint.  The Ig Nobel prize for Medicine went to one Gregg A. Miller of Missouri, for the invention of Neuticles - artificial replacement testicles for dogs.  According to Miller's website - www.neuticles.com - "Neuticles allow your pet to retain his natural look, self esteem and aids in the trauma associated with neutering. With Neuticles -- It's like nothing ever changed!"  Except, of course, there's no chance of knocking up that sexy bitch from down the block.

The 2005 Ig Nobel Award for Fluid Dynamics went to the duo of Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow and Jozsef Gal of Finland and Hungary, respectively, for their outstanding work using basic principles of physics to calculate the pressure that builds up inside a penguin, as detailed in their report "Pressures Produced When Penguins Pooh -- Calculations on Avian Defaecation."

I'm thinking I might get into the action in 2006, and see if I can get noticed for my extensive research on drinking: How Many Beers Does It Take To Become Invisible?