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Japanese Researcher Wins Ig Nobel for Studying How to Blow Your Nose Properly

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • The late Tokiji Unno won the Ig Nobel medicine prize for research comparing different ways of blowing the nose.
  • His study of 15 men concluded that closing one nostril and blowing through the other was more effective than blowing through both, using a strong and sustained breath.
  • A separate international team involving Japanese researchers won the chemistry prize for finding that cockroach milk protein crystals contain three times more energy by weight than mammalian milk.

A 1977 medical paper on the best way to blow one’s nose has earned a Japanese researcher an Ig Nobel Prize. Tokiji Unno, a professor at Asahikawa Medical University who died in 2022, studied a question many people might assume needs no research: whether people actually blow their noses correctly.

Unno tested 15 men by placing airflow sensors at both nostrils. He measured the speed, volume and duration of air released when subjects blew through both nostrils or closed one side. Sensors near the ears recorded the pressure involved.

His conclusion was practical: close one nostril and blow through the other. He also advised using a large amount of air and blowing strongly and for a long time. The study described nose-blowing as an important part of nasal hygiene and sought to provide guidance based on measured data rather than personal habits.

Unno’s student Miki Takahara accepted the medicine prize for him at the ceremony in Zurich. “It seems the study was recognized for scientifically examining people’s everyday behavior. I think Professor Unno would be pleased,” Takahara said. Japanese television reported that genuine Nobel laureates attending the event celebrated by demonstrating how to blow their noses.

Japan also shared the chemistry prize through an international research team that found protein crystals from cockroach milk contain three times the energy of the same weight of mammalian milk. The awards marked Japan’s 20th consecutive year with an Ig Nobel winner. Earlier Japanese projects included research on zebra stripes painted on cows to deter biting flies, electrically charged chopsticks that alter taste, and why banana peels are slippery. Analysts attributed Japan’s run partly to its deep research base, technical capacity, economic support and tolerance for unconventional basic research.

It seems the study was recognized for scientifically examining people’s everyday behavior. I think Professor Unno would be pleased.

· Miki TakaharaUnno’s student accepted the Ig Nobel medicine prize on his behalf.
About this summary

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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