A 15-year-old from the US created software that can predict, with twice the accuracy of existing software, how likely mutations in a gene are to cause cancer, winning first place and 55 thousand euros at this year's Intel International Science and Technology Fair. At the same time, Greek students are taking national exams.
With a computer program that evaluates how harmful cancerous mutations are in a specific human gene, gifted 15-year-old student Nathan Han won first place (Gordon E. Moore Award) at the 2014 Intel International Science and Technology Fair.
The young scientist from Boston began working on possible plans to combat the disease after a good friend of his mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After all, according to his statements to Fastcoexist, he has been fascinated by bioinformatics for some time.
Finally, last January, Nathan Han ended up creating a program that assesses how harmful mutations are in one of the most well-studied genes in the human genome, BRCA1, which has been found to be frequently associated with ovarian and breast cancers.
Using information from public databases, while demonstrating the importance of the free dissemination of scientific knowledge to the public, Han programmed the software he designed to distinguish the differences between mutations associated with the disease and those considered harmless.
The end result is a program with an accuracy rate of 81% in identifying cancer-causing mutations, while existing algorithms available to experts have an accuracy rate of around 40%! In fact, Han's software may be adapted in the future to evaluate other genes and diseases.
The 15-year-old hopes to publish his research, but for now, he's looking for a summer job, in a research lab, of course. The $75,000 (or €55,000) that came with the Gordon E. Moore Award will go toward his future college tuition.
Our Nathan Han trapped in the complexities of the Greek system
At the same time that a peer is paving the way, with his own, innovative creation, for better diagnostic tools, which will allow for more timely treatment of cancer cases, thousands of Greek middle and high school students are struggling to memorize (let's not hide) the necessary things, in order to successfully pass their exams. Comparisons are inevitable. And they cause sadness, since it is proven, once again, that among the young children, today's teenagers, the brilliant scientists of the future are hidden, but, in our country, we have not yet found a way to allow them to reveal their enormous potential, as early as they can. Trapped in an education system that, year after year, provokes their own reaction, but also that of several experts, our children (and their teachers) are forced to leave behind any thoughts of innovation and action outside of the “appropriate” ways and methods of teaching and examination. Greek students in the anxiety of the Panhellenic exams Greek students in the anxiety of the Panhellenic exams Although, when they find the few outlets that Greek education leaves open, Greek students and students realize that they can do great things – a more recent example, the first place of the students of the Athens Law School in a major international competition – usually, the very structure of our schools refuses to let them spread their wings earlier. It is now obvious that the modernization of the education system in Greece is imperative. There must be a shift towards enhancing the unique abilities of our students, developing their skills, and promoting their uniqueness, always ensuring that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources. It is almost universally acknowledged that education in our country is sick. A shift from its purely degree-seeking and soul-destroying character to that of cultivating future scientists, and above all, human beings, is what is needed. To do this, of course, requires specialized study by experts.
What we can add are the words of Kazantzakis, which we believe say it all: “The ideal teacher is the one who becomes a bridge for his student to cross over. And when he makes it easier for him to cross, he happily lets himself fall, encouraging his student to build his own bridges.”.
The award to Nathan Han:
It is noted that second place in the Intel exhibition was taken by 15-year-old Lennart Kleinwort from Germany, for a mathematical tool that improves the functions of smartphones and tablets, and third place was taken by 17-year-old Shannon Xinjing Lee from Singapore, for the development of an electrocatalyst that can be used for better renewable batteries.
The innovations that will shape our lives tomorrow are swirling in the minds of students today. Let's empower them to put them into action. We will all win.
Source: tro-ma-ktiko.blogspot.gr
