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Scientists Win Ig Nobel for Studying Lizard Pizza Preferences
Researchers have received the prestigious Ig Nobel Prize for their groundbreaking study on the pizza preferences of rainbow lizards, scientifically known as colonist agamas. The satirical awards ceremony, held annually in Boston, honored scientists whose work "first makes people laugh, then makes them think."
Pizza Experiments with Rainbow Lizards
The research team conducted experiments offering various pizza types to the colorful reptiles. While the lizards showed no interest in pizza quattro stagioni, they demonstrated clear preference for pizza quattro formaggi. "The smell of this pizza is stronger than other pizza types," explained Italian researcher Luca Luiselli in an interview with ABC News.
2025 Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony
The 34th annual Ig Nobel Prize ceremony maintained its traditional elements, including the throwing of paper airplanes toward the stage and musical performances. This year's theme focused on digestion, making the lizard pizza research particularly relevant. Unlike the prestigious Nobel Prizes, Ig Nobel winners receive a trophy depicting a human stomach, a certificate, and a moist towelette.
Other Notable 2025 Winners
Japanese researcher Tomoki Kojima received recognition for his study painting zebra-like stripes on cows to deter mosquitoes. "When I conducted this experiment, I hoped I would win the Ig Nobel Prize," said Kojima, who described the achievement as "unbelievable."
Another winning study had Dutch connections, demonstrating that German psychology students at Maastricht University speak better Dutch when intoxicated. The Ig Nobel Prizes continue to celebrate unusual scientific research that engages the public while maintaining scientific rigor.
