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Each and every year, we make amazing discoveries that change the way we see ourselves and the world around us. As we continue to explore the boundaries of our knowledge and understanding, we turn up new tidbits of stunning trivia that blow our minds on a regular basis. From human-sized penguins to a new discovery about the "Lovers of Modena" skeletons, here are 19 interesting facts from 2019.

1

A lost continent was identified in the Mediterranean.

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"Forget Atlantis. Without realizing it, vast numbers of tourists spend their holiday each year on the lost continent of Greater Adria," researcher Douwe van Hinsbergen said in reference to a 2019 study published in the journal Gondwana Research. Located in the Mediterranean region, the piece of continental crust the size of Greenland was identified as a lost continent thanks to research coordinated by Utrecht University.

2

A human-sized penguin once lived in New Zealand.

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We tend to think of penguins as waddling birds who live in rather cold places. But thanks to a 2019 study published in the April edition of the paleontology journal Alcheringa, we also learned that they used to be huge. Scientists found bones in New Zealand that prove that a human-sized penguin, now known as Crossvallia waiparensis, once lived roughly 60 million years ago. Paleontologist Gerald Mayrdiscussed the "monster" penguin, saying, "The fossils discovered have made our understanding of penguin evolution a whole lot clearer."

3

Popping a bottle of champagne releases the same shock waves as a jet.

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"Even if it is far safer and advised to uncork a champagne bottle with a subdued sigh to prevent serious eye injuries, uncorking a bottle with a bang has become a festive and iconic action preceding champagne tasting," a research article published in Science Advances noted in September. Not only is it festive, but the study found that the supersonic shock waves that are released from uncorking the bottle can produce the same Mach 1 level force as a jet.

4

People who function on less sleep may have a gene mutation.

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People who can get by on only a few hours of sleep may seem like superheroes to those of us who need our eight hours, and it turns out they may indeed have a particular kind of rare quality that gives them that unique ability. A 2019 study published in Neuronshows that a mutation of the β1-adrenergic receptor allows some people to function on shorter spans of sleep better than those without the mutation. University of California, San Francisco neurologist Louis Ptáček released a statement about the significance of the findings, saying, "This research is an exciting new frontier that allows us to dissect the complexity of circuits in the brain and the different types of neurons that contribute to sleep and wakefulness."

5

Beer is good for your gut health.

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People who like to keep their overall digestive system running well tend to consume things like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut for their probiotic qualities. But as Eric Claassen, a professor at Amsterdam University, told The Independent in December, certain types of beer might have the same beneficial microbes found in those foods—particularly strong Belgian beers, including Hoegaarden, Westmalle Tripel, and Echt Kriekenbier. The difference in these beers is that they're fermented twice and use a specific yeast that produces acids that kill harmful gut bacteria. "If you drink just one of these beers every day it would be very good for you," Claassen said.

6

There's a species of beetle named after teen climate activist Greta Thunberg.

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On Oct. 25, scientists revealed that they had identified a new species of beetle with an antenna that resembles braided hair. Because of this, they named the critter Nelloptodes gretae, in honor of teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, who wears her hair in braids. Michael Darby, PhD, a scientific associate at the Natural History Museum in London who was involved in the naming process, said, "I chose this name as I am immensely impressed with the work of this young campaigner and wanted to acknowledge her outstanding contribution in raising awareness of environmental issues."

7

Cheese can protect your body from salt.

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People who are worried about the amount of salt in their diet may want to consider making their meals a little cheesier. That's because, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition in August, eating "sodium in cheese may be an effective strategy to reduce cardiovascular disease." Havarti, anyone?

8

Leonardo da Vinci's design for the largest bridge in the world would have worked.