Japanese Team Wins Ig Nobel for Zebra-Striped Cows

The Unusual Science Behind Zebra Stripes on Cows

A Japanese research team has been honored with the 35th Ig Nobel Prize for their unconventional yet insightful study that revealed how painting zebra-like stripes on cows can significantly reduce the number of flies attaching to them. The Ig Nobel Prizes, often referred to as the "Ig Nobel Prize," are awarded annually before the Nobel Prizes. These awards recognize scientific studies that are both humorous and creative, highlighting unusual but meaningful contributions to science.

The research was led by Kojima Tomoki from the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. The team was recognized with the Ig Nobel Prize in Biology for their innovative findings. Their work was inspired by earlier studies that suggested zebra stripes might help deter blood-sucking flies. To test this theory, they conducted an experiment using Japanese black cattle.

The study involved dividing the cattle into three groups: one group painted with white stripes at intervals of 4–5 cm, resembling zebra patterns; another group painted with black stripes; and a third group left unpainted. Each group was observed for 30 minutes to monitor fly activity.

The results were striking. The unpainted cattle had an average of 128 blood-sucking insects attached to their bodies. Those with black stripes had slightly fewer, averaging 111. However, the most notable outcome was seen in the cattle painted with white stripes, which had only an average of 55 insects attached. Additionally, the study found that behaviors such as head shaking and foot stamping—common ways cattle try to deter flies—decreased by approximately 25% in the striped groups compared to the others.

The research team believes that these findings could have practical benefits. By reducing the presence of flies, the study may help decrease stress in cattle, lower the reliance on insecticides, and even contribute to preventing infectious diseases.

Beyond this particular study, the Ig Nobel Prizes also recognized other creative and unconventional research across various fields. For instance, a team that discovered mothers who consume garlic breastfeed their babies for longer periods received the Pediatrics Prize. Meanwhile, Indian researchers who created a shoe cabinet capable of neutralizing smelly sneakers were awarded the Engineering Prize. The Peace Prize went to a German-Dutch-British team that demonstrated how a shot of vodka could improve people's ability to speak a foreign language.

The Ig Nobel Prizes are organized by the Annals of Improbable Research (AIR), a scientific humor magazine based at Harvard University. Since its inception in 1991, the award has celebrated quirky and imaginative research. Japan has consistently been a top recipient of the prize, having won it for 19 consecutive years. In the previous year, a team from Tokyo University of Science was awarded the Biology Prize for demonstrating that some mammals can breathe through their anus—a finding that, while unusual, highlights the diverse range of topics explored in scientific research.