Who says video games aren't good for us? Science Daily is reporting that video games very well may one day save our lives
A new game, named Foldit (find it at fold.it), turns protein folding into a competitive sport.
Introductory levels teach the rules, which are the same laws of physics by which
protein strands curl and twist into three-dimensional shapes -- key for
biological mysteries ranging from Alzheimer's to vaccines.
So great news, you'll still be able to play all the wario ware memory games long after you go senile!
Eventually, the researchers hope to present a medical nemesis, such as HIV or
malaria, and challenge players to devise a protein with just the right shape to
lock into the virus and deactivate it. Winning protein designs will be
synthesized in Baker's lab and tested in petri dishes. High-scoring players will
be credited in scientific publications the way that top Rosetta@home
contributors already are credited for their computer time.
Can I still get in for my 10 million points in Tetris on gameboy?
"Long-term, I'm hoping that we can get a significant fraction of the world's
population engaged in solving critical problems in world health, and doing it
collaboratively and successfully through the game," Baker said. "We're trying to
use the brain power of people all around the world to advance biomedical
research."
Yes, yes, more brain power, less diseases, but what loots do they drop???
Foldit includes elements of multiplayer games in which people can team up,
chat with other players and create online profiles. Over time the researchers
will analyze people's moves to see how the top players solve puzzles. This
information will be fed back into the game's design so the game's tools and
format can evolve.
Coming soon, Foldit MMO, featuring such fearsome raid bosses as AIDS and Superman 64.
The research is funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Microsoft Corp. and Adobe Systems Inc., and
through fellowships at Nvidia Corp. and Intel Corp.
Oh goody! At least huge conglomerates will still benefit somehow! (Please note gigantic amounts of sarcasm)