16 Year old cures cystic fibrosis for science fair.

[gorcorps]

This reminds me of another story where some (Canadian IIRC) kid won a science fair involving a bacteria which would deteriorate plastics in landfills a lot faster. They made it sound like he discovered it, but I'm not sure. I also thought it sounded good but don't know how far it went.

 

[Jeffg010]

I guess my point is, there are many cases in higher level science fairs (like Siemens-Westinghouse or Intel Science Fair) where high school students seem to be presenting graduate level work.

Many interpret this to mean the kids are total geniuses, when in fact they simply tagged onto ongoing work at a university lab (given their education, probably at a level similar to a technician) and presented results from incremental work.

Not all kids have that resource or even know to pursue it (that is often the case). While these kids are certainly bright and such an accomplishment would look good on your college application, it doesn't mean they are the next Einstein. I'd be much more impressed with a solo effort or a father-son effort.

This is then next Einstein
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelo...r-old-astrophysics-prodigy-the-skys-the-limit

 

[Bignate603]

It seems like there's a big difference between first and second place:

Now Zhang and a trio of Montreal students who took second place for their technique for making sorbet without gelatin...

 

[William Gaatjes]

I guess my point is, there are many cases in higher level science fairs (like Siemens-Westinghouse or Intel Science Fair) where high school students seem to be presenting graduate level work.

Many interpret this to mean the kids are total geniuses, when in fact they simply tagged onto ongoing work at a university lab (given their education, probably at a level similar to a technician) and presented results from incremental work.

Not all kids have that resource or even know to pursue it (that is often the case). While these kids are certainly bright and such an accomplishment would look good on your college application, it doesn't mean they are the next Einstein. I'd be much more impressed with a solo effort or a father-son effort.

You can write what you like, but i think it is a good thing if 16 year olds actually do this kind of work. I mean sometimes we all get the impression that 16 year olds are hooked on video games, chatting and porn.

But i have to agree there is nothing more fun then a father supporting his kids...

 

[SandEagle]

its funny how no one wants to acknowledge the kid is Canadian. Fox news states he's from the Toronto area. Half of Americans dont even know where that is I bet. On the radio this morning, they said the kid was from Pittsburgh. lol, u wish. American kids are too busy playing Call of Duty and choking on toys while the rest of the world is passing us by.

 

[zinfamous]

I guess my point is, there are many cases in higher level science fairs (like Siemens-Westinghouse or Intel Science Fair) where high school students seem to be presenting graduate level work.

Many interpret this to mean the kids are total geniuses, when in fact they simply tagged onto ongoing work at a university lab (given their education, probably at a level similar to a technician) and presented results from incremental work.

Not all kids have that resource or even know to pursue it (that is often the case). While these kids are certainly bright and such an accomplishment would look good on your college application, it doesn't mean they are the next Einstein. I'd be much more impressed with a solo effort or a father-son effort.

yes. I was agreeing with you on all points.

This is certainly not a project that the kid conceived. Just doesn't work that way in academics.

 

[Farmer]

This is then next Einstein
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelo...r-old-astrophysics-prodigy-the-skys-the-limit

I've seen his videos, and, coming from a well respected physics program, no.

He's a 12 year old with a competent college freshman's understanding of math and physics. While that's extremely impressive, a total lack of actual scientific work means he's nowhere close to being the next Einstein. A bright future scientist maybe, but he's no Will Hunting, at least not yet.

Just read the reply they got from a professor at the IAS. The parent in this case is absolutely clawing for media attention.

 

[zinfamous]

You can write what you like, but i think it is a good thing if 16 year olds actually do this kind of work. I mean sometimes we all get the impression that 16 year olds are hooked on video games, chatting and porn.

But i have to agree there is nothing more fun then a father supporting his kids...

And no one is disparaging him for that, either. It's much better that he's in the lab doing useful work, as opposed to something useless like texting his buddies from home or pursuing a marketing degree.

Those of us that work in research can tell you that the kid obviously has some brains and dedication, b/c it is extremely rare that any sort of lab worth its salt will take in such a young kid (especially if he was doing the cell work--I have my doubts). Most don't trust undergrads for that sort of thing.

 

[OverVolt]

Very promising.

I am always happy to read about those young bright kids bringing promising changes to daily life. ^_^

I know what you mean. When I was 16 I didn't do nearly as much research with my university supercomputer.

 

[zinfamous]

its funny how no one wants to acknowledge the kid is Canadian. Fox news states he's from the Toronto area. Half of Americans dont even know where that is I bet. On the radio this morning, they said the kid was from Pittsburgh. lol, u wish. American kids are too busy playing Call of Duty and choking on toys while the rest of the world is passing us by.

Toronto, Ohio?

 

[Brigandier]

American kids are too busy playing Call of Duty and choking on toys while the rest of the world wants to play Call of Duty and chomp on toys.

FTFY

 

[William Gaatjes]

I know what you mean. When I was 16 I didn't do nearly as much research with my university supercomputer.

That is not the point. Starting young gives you an edge. Especially if you get the chance. I started out as very juvenile burglar,thief and shoplifter until i realized what grief i caused. I was never caught by the police, it just felled wrong one day. From then on i vowed to learn and study. Turned my energy into something useful. It was not easy but it helps when people have faith in you and give you one chance to show what you can do. And that is why i am happy i read about these kinds of incentives, if that may be from parents, schools, companies or the kids themselves.

To zinfamous, i do agree with farmer. I am just happy for the incentive companies create for the youngsters who are interested. I do not care the kids do not start from scratch. These kids are focused and that is what is important. Adolescence is an under estimated part of growing up with respect to future mentality.

 

[AlienCraft]

Cures are not commercially viable.
Treatments that render the disease chronic and that lessen the symptoms while not curing anything are what Big Pharma wants.

 

[amdhunter]

 

[Gibsons]

Cures are not commercially viable.
Treatments that render the disease chronic and that lessen the symptoms while not curing anything are what Big Pharma wants.

So tell us all how to cure cystic fibrosis.

Anyway, I think the credit for this should go to whoever discovered/invented the two compounds used for treatment. His discovery is just "hey, they might have a synergistic effect."

 

[William Gaatjes]

So tell us all how to cure cystic fibrosis.

Anyway, I think the credit for this should go to whoever discovered/invented the two compounds used for treatment. His discovery is just "hey, they might have a synergistic effect."

Yes, all who worked hard should be mentioned. As it is motivating.

 

[SirStev0]

Is anyone surprised he's both Asian and Non-American?

 

[SirStev0]

Toronto, Ohio?

I currently live less than 15 minutes from Toronto Ohio. Believe me, this kid ain't from there. And there sure as hell isn't no University or Supercomputer.

Fuck 94% of that town couldn't spell university or supercomputer.

 

[pontifex]

Would hate to have been in this guys science class. "Mofo wrecked the curve again"

Oh and from the pic, he looks asian

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/05/13/teen-discovers-promising-cystic-fibrosis-treatment/

Yeah, Zhang is such an ambiguous name...

 

[WelshBloke]

Hah...I love the mention of the 2nd place team making sorbet without gelatin. LOL

So is sorbet one of those things thats completely different in the States to Europe?

Because I've never heard of sorbet having gelatine in.

 

[Gibsons]

So is sorbet one of those things thats completely different in the States to Europe?

Because I've never heard of sorbet having gelatine in.

I just looked up about 5 different websites with different sorbet recipes... not one had gelatin.

 

[sdifox]

Toronto, Ohio?

Toronto, Ontario.

 

[WelshBloke]

I just looked up about 5 different websites with different sorbet recipes... not one had gelatin.

Cool, so I suppose they got second place for convincing everyone that sorbet was supposed to have gelatin in and then amazing everyone when they left it out.

I'm just off to patent a way to make sponge cake without concrete.

 

[AlienCraft]

So tell us all how to cure cystic fibrosis.

Anyway, I think the credit for this should go to whoever discovered/invented the two compounds used for treatment. His discovery is just "hey, they might have a synergistic effect."

Why? I never claimed to be able to do so.
I was being obtuse and obstinate. D:

 

[Anonemous]

So it cures cystic fibrosis without ever a clinical trial. Woot!