May mini-AIR

The May issue of mini-AIR just went out. Topics include: Planetary Medical Stars; Bacteria and Evelyn Evelyn; Mask Wiggling; Theatrical Germs Poet; “Reality-Based Improv”; Jay’s Words Unclean; etc. Mel [pictured here] says, “It’s swell.” (mini-AIR is the simplest way to keep informed about Improbable and Ig Nobel news and events. Just fill in the wee […]

Thankfully atypical burn #5

Bathtubs Methane build-up is not uncommon in sewage systems. Normally, a standard bathtub is substantially protected from methane back-leakage by the fluid-filled U-bend connected to the water outlet. But in case of failure, or excessive methane pressure, the gas can leak into the tub. Methane is highly flammable.

Boles: Sandwich meat’s green sheen

The occasional green sheen of sandwich meat is no mystery, according to Jane Ann Boles [pictured here, demonstrating meat slicing for her students] and Ronald Pegg. They wrote a guide called “Meat Color”,  for the Montana State University and Saskatchewan Food Product Innovation program: Iridescence in Processed Meat Products Iridescence is a common problem in […]

Improbable Research