A tiny periodic table of curiosities

Real medical research about parachutes, roller coasters, didgeridoos and Santa’s health, from doctors with wonderful senses of humour.

Serious physicists solving serious problems, like why spaghetti never breaks in half and whether a cat is technically a liquid.

Stargazing beetles, art-loving pigeons, cows with names and one very calm tortoise. Animal research that is sweet, funny and quietly important.

Studies about confidence, chocolate, unicycles and why a well-timed “ouch” really does help.

Internet standards for pigeons and teapots, a paper written entirely in “chicken”, and a physicist’s cat who became a co-author.

Bottomless soup, the five-second rule, cuddling Cheerios and why coffee spills. Research you can (mostly) eat.

Harry Potter, hobbits, Batman, zombies and Pokémon, all studied with real academic seriousness.