A 14-year-old from Snellville, Georgia, US, has emerged as the winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge after creating a portable device aimed at detecting pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. Sirish Subash distinguished himself with his Al-powered sensor, earning him the top award of $25,000 and the esteemed title of "America's Top Young Scientist."

Like many inventors, Sirish was driven by curiosity and a straightforward question. His mother often reminded him to wash fruit before eating it, which led him to wonder whether this practice made much difference. He discovered that 70% of produce carries pesticide residues linked to potential health issues such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease-and that washing only partially reduces the contamination.

He said, "If we could detect them, we could avoid consuming them and reduce the risk of those health issues."

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