On Thursday, a whimsical science awards event took place, honoring ten innovative research teams in a location outside the United States for the first time, prompted by concerns regarding travel logistics.

The Ig Nobel prizes, which recognize quirky and creative scientific endeavors, were awarded to researchers who explored topics such as the properties of cockroach milk and the ecological impact of buried underwear on soil health.

This year’s ceremony, organized by the Annals of Improbable Research, moved to Europe after a 35-year tradition in the U.S., primarily due to challenges surrounding visa acquisition for attendees.

In Zurich, Switzerland, the award recipients were presented with unique trophies combining the likeness of a mushroom and a human foot. Notable winners included Matilda Brindle and Stuart West from the University of Oxford, along with Catherine F. Talbot from the Florida Institute of Technology, who delved into the evolutionary background of kissing. The late Dr. Tokuji Unno was also recognized for his research on the science behind nose blowing.

One of the highlighted studies involved a team that buried 1,000 pairs of underwear across more than 25 countries to analyze the role of soil organisms in the decomposition process.

Looking ahead, the event organizers intend to alternate future ceremonies between Zurich and various other European cities, with the next ceremony scheduled for 2027 in Antwerp, Belgium. Historically, the awards were held at prestigious institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Boston University, but there are currently no plans to resume events in the United States.

Marc Abrahams, the event’s master of ceremonies and editor of the magazine, conveyed to The Associated Press in March that, “Over the past year, it has become unsafe for our guests to visit the country.”

The traditional Nobel Prizes, which are unrelated to the Ig Nobel awards, will be announced at the beginning of October.