Liquid Encouragement: Booze can promote language skills

Sometimes a small sip is enough to lower your inhibitions when attempting to speak a foreign language. At least that's what a study carried out by the University of Bath and the University of Freiburg shows. For these unusual – but scientifically sound – findings, researchers were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize, a satirical award that honors scientific progress of the more humorous sort, while also making the public think. At this year's award ceremony, the study on so-called "Dutch courage" received the prize in the Peace category.