Italians post breast selfies 'for science'

The “Boobs for Science” (“Tette per la Scienza”) blog was started by 30-year-old Lara Tait, a web marketer who studied paleoanthropology.

The tone was set by the first image; a photo of a woman’s cleavage and a sign: "25 percent of Italians deny the theory of evolution. In the US, it's 60 percent."

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Tait’s intention was to use the blog as a tool to inform the masses of scientific achievement, she told The Local.

“I think that in Italy more should be done to bring science and its results to the people. So I just had the idea to do something original in this sphere,” she said.

Numerous women have since contributed their own photographs to the Tumblr blog, in various states of undress.

Nudes, women in underwear or corsets all feature, while some men have ignored the “boobs” title and send naked photos of themselves.

Tait said there was “absolutely” no risk the “Boobs for Science” blog would reinforce sexism in Italy.

“A woman is free to do what she wants with her own body, also put it to the service of science if she wants,” she said.

The contributors - Italians and foreigners living in Italy - cover a huge range of topics in their nude or semi-nude shots. Posers recount facts on everything from autism to the age of the universe, while biodiversity, illiteracy and vivisection also feature.

"Vegetable protein doesn't have the same biological value as animal protein," declares someone clad in suspenders.

"Cuts to research are cuts to your future, [the future of] your children and your country,” reads a sign next to a naked bottom.

Under each post a lengthy explanation is often given, featuring links to scientific studies.

The science fans also used the hashtag #iostoconrosetta (“I am with Rosetta”) to throw their support behind the European Space Agency’s (ESA) recent mission. In a scientific first, the Rosetta spacecraft on November 12th landed on a comet.

Back on Earth, “very strong participation” in the blog has continued. “Each day contributions arrive from people who are enthusiastic about our idea,” both women and men, Tait said. 

Following the success of “Tette per la Scienza”, the English-language Boobs for Science was launched in December.