One of my favorite science stories is that of the scientist who proved to the world that peptic ulcers are not just caused by stress (a radical notion at the time). He thought it was bacteria, and to prove it, he drank a bunch of the bacteria. Low and behold, he got ulcers! It’s exactly what you’re not supposed to do in research, and yet no other solution seems as elegant to me.
So I was very excited and pleased today to learn that the scientists behind this discovery, Barry J. Marshall and Robin Warren, won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine this year. It’s a scientist’s version of winning an Oscar or some such award. And this one is richly deserved.
Read two good story about the discovery and the scientists here and here and see more news articles here.
