Improbable Research

Investigator Scott Langill directs us to this University of Leeds job posting:

Research Officer – The rise and regulation of lap dancing and the place of sexual labour and consumption in the night time economy
(Job reference: 316199 )
(Full-time, fixed term 12 months from March 2010)
You will work on an ESRC funded study on the rise and regulation of lap dancing and the place of sexual labour and consumption in the night time economy. The post will involve qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. It is based in Leeds, although some travel to other cities may be necessary.

Investigator G.J. Reynolds alerts us to an alert about deficiencies of deer-collision avoidance devices:

“Analysis and effectiveness of deer whistles for motor vehicles: frequencies, levels, and animal threshold responses,” Peter M. Scheifele [pictured here], David G. Browning and Lesa M. Collins-Scheifel, Journal of the Acoustical Society of America [ARLO], vol. 4, no. 13, July 2003. ) The authors report:

Here’s another look back at Project AIRhead 2000 (announced in June 1994). The project celebrated every item, project or concept that had the number 2000 tacked onto its name in giddy anticipation of the coming millennium:

“Whisper 2000,” a device that lets you hear a whisper across the room.

We proudly introduce this coffee mug — the first technology spin-off from the Ig Nobel Prize ceremony.

The ceremony always proceeds briskly, thanks to Miss Sweetie Poo, a very cute eight-year-old girl. Whenever Miss Sweetie Poo feels that a speaker has talked long enough, she walks up to that person and says, “Please stop. I’m bored. Please stop. I’m bored. Please stop. I’m bored. Please stop. I’m bored.” She continues doing this until the speaker stops speaking.

Get yourself a “Please stop. I’m bored.” mug. Then you, too, can wield the power of Miss Sweetie Poo.

Nuclear experts clean radioactive site with Cillit Bang

— Decontamination experts at the former nuclear site at Dounreay, northern Scotland, are using the Cillit Bang household cleaner to remove radioactive plutonium stains. —

The huge site in Caithness is in the process of being decommissioned but workers found their normal cleaning fluid was slowing down the job of dismantling an experimental chemical plant used in the 1980s to recycle plutonium liquor. One of the team suggested £1.99 Cillit Bang

Ten years ago, people quivered as the year 2000 approached. Let’s look back, perhaps fondly, at Project AIRhead 2000. Announced in June 1994 (click here to see the announcement), the project celebrated every item, project or concept that had the number 2000 tacked onto its name in giddy anticipation of the coming millennium.

Between today and January 1, 2010, we will glimpse at some of the collection. How many of these things survived a full decade past Jan 1, 2000? You might enjoy doing some detective work to find out. (If you find anything especially interesting, please let us know!)