Meet the Mind-Blowing Studies That Just Won the Coveted Ig Nobel Prize for Science's Most Ridiculous Breakthroughs

BOSTON (AP) — In a ceremony that always leaves people chuckling and curious, this year’s Ig Nobel Prizes were awarded, honoring some of the most side-splitting scientific studies of our time. The Ig Nobels, which are sometimes described as a parody of the prestigious Nobel Prizes, acknowledge research that might have started as a legitimate inquiry but veered off into the realm of the absurd or comical.

Among the standout winners this year was a research team that boldly asked the question: Can pigeons be used to guide missiles? And in a study that sounds straight out of a spy thriller, scientists found out that the answer is, surprisingly, yes.

The basic premise behind the study goes like this: The researchers employed the remarkable navigation skills of pigeons to steer missiles towards moving targets. This relatively low-tech approach uses living creatures to conduct precision strikes, a fitting concept in an era when drones and robotic warfare dominate military discussions.

However, what caught everyone off guard was the revelation that dead fish can swim – sort of. The team behind this bizarre study found out that the way salmon move through the water can still appear like swimming, even after they cease to be alive and kicking. Who knew that the art of the dead salmon swim could be an actual topic of interest?

Even though the Ig Nobels might be perceived as poking fun at scientific inquiry, behind the humor lies an honorable intention. The award ceremonies often include presentations by the winners themselves, in a sincere attempt to bring some laughter, humanity, and humility to the frequently insulated world of research.

Interestingly, scientists can have fun too, even if they don't usually have the luxury to express themselves in the same carefree manner artists and performers do. Scientific inquiry doesn’t have to be overly dry and stuffy; a dash of creativity and whimsy can prove beneficial.

Whether you think these humorous research studies are seriously laughable, one thing’s for sure – they attract attention to research, both major and minor, and they allow people to connect with the fascinating and more niche aspects of scientific progress on a different level.