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In the realm of scientific inquiry, curiosity often leads researchers down unexpected paths. The 2023 Ig Nobel Prize in Chemistry and Geology celebrates this spirit, honoring Professor Jan Zalasiewicz for his illuminating investigation into a rather unconventional practice among scientists: licking rocks.
But why would scientists engage in such an unusual behavior? Wetting the surface of a rock enhances the visibility of fossil and mineral textures, allowing them to stand out sharply, which dry reflections and refractions might obscure. This method became a source of inspiration for Zalasiewicz's geological exploration.