Medicine
Penicillin Was Discovered by Accident
In 1928, Alexander Fleming returned from holiday to find mould had contaminated his petri dish and killed the surrounding bacteria. That mould, Penicillium notatum, led to the first antibiotic and saved millions of lives.
Medicine
The Human Body Has More Bacterial Cells Than Human Cells
You carry approximately 38 trillion bacterial cells versus 30 trillion human cells. The bacteria in your gut weigh about 1–2 kg and play a critical role in digestion, immunity, and even mood.
Medicine
Blood Types Were Only Discovered in 1901
Before Karl Landsteiner identified ABO blood groups in 1901, blood transfusions were often fatal. This discovery earned him the 1930 Nobel Prize and made safe transfusions possible.
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