Stuff To Blow Your Mind The 2025 Ig Nobels, Part 2
Sep 25, 2025
Dive into the whimsical world of the Ig Nobel Prizes, where laughter meets thought-provoking research. Discover how zebra-like stripes could potentially protect livestock from biting flies. Explore the provocative idea of ingestible polymers for weight management and its ethical implications. Unravel the science behind preventing cheese sauce from clumping, with practical tips for a perfect recipe. Lastly, learn about innovative designs aiming to tackle shoe odor using UVC technology. Prepare for a wild ride through bizarre yet fascinating studies!
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Stripes Disrupt Fly Landings
- Zebra-like striping reduces successful fly landings by disrupting their approach and deceleration.
- This effect may lower cattle stress and economic losses from fly-driven behaviors.
Listener Photo: Horse In A Zebra Fly Sheet
- Joe recounts a listener photo of a horse wearing a zebra-patterned fly sheet and explores why owners use those sheets.
- He explains fly sheets are mesh blankets that block insects and sometimes protect from UV, but have downsides like irritation and heat risk.
Fly Bites Hurt Livestock Productivity
- Biting flies cause cattle to alter behavior, reducing feeding and increasing crowding and injury risk.
- These behavioral changes plausibly translate into measurable economic losses for livestock producers.