Fame and immortality beckon for Ig Nobel prize winners.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

Every year with the approach of autumn, academics get excited. As the leaves change colour, bringing golden colours to the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Cambridge, England, scientists prepare themselves for the announcement of the most prestigious prizes in science. Win one of these and your name will be remembered forever, your work immortalised in history books, your requests for research grants just that little bit easier.

It's time for the Ig Nobels.

Founded 20 years ago by Marc Abrahams, editor of the Annals of Improbable Research , the awards are given for genuine academic research and "honour achievements that …