Two Australian scientists have won this year's Nobel Prize in medicine for diagnosing the cause of stomach ulcers.
In Stockholm, the Nobel Assembly said Barry J. Marshall and J. Robin Warren won for their 1982 discovery of a previously unknown bacterium Helicobacter pylori that causes gastritis and stomach ulcers. Doctors had long believed that stress and diet were mostly responsible for the affliction and many were skeptical of the Australians' discovery at first.
But after follow-up research, including Mr. Marshall's decision to drink a culture of the bacterium to contract the painful condition, the skeptics were convinced.
Nobel officials said the discovery eventually led to relatively simple treatments for the ailment.
From their home in Perth, Australia, the men today-Monday said they are celebrating the 1.3-million-dollar award with their families.
Information for this report is provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
