Do you remember the days of being 17? You and your friends would plan your next shopping excursion to the mall/marathon session of Super Mario Bros. Or if you're Maria Merziotis you discover a way to identify and maybe even fight flu infections. All in a day's work really.

Merziotis, a Grade 12 student, recently took first place - and a cheque for $5,000 - in a national science competition and will enter her findings in an international competition held in San Diego next month. Health Canada is already reviewing Merziotis' research, which could help with the diganosis and treatment of the flu.

The flu virus attacks human cells by binding to a compound called sialic acid, or sialyllactose, on the cell surface. Merziotis synthesized a floating form of the acid, which dupes the virus with an alternative attachment site.

"It can be used to detect what strain of influenza is responsible for a specific infection," she said. "It can differentiate between human and avian strains. It may also be possible to interfere with the infection process by administering the floating sialyllactose through injection, nasal spray or lungs with a pump. The flu virus would attach to the artificial receptor rather than the human cell."

Sure, didn't we all know that?

The second-place price went to a team of three Grade 10 students who were able to identify genes that help plants thrive in salty soil. Third place went to a 15-year old who found a human gene variation that could help deal with bipolar disorder.

Well now that people under the age of 18 are discovering potential cures for the flu and possibly revolutionizing the treatment of serious mood disorders, let's see a show of hands of those a decade or more older who feel somewhat inadequate for expressing excitement after finally figuring out how to properly set the timer on their coffee maker.

» The Star