Gamers saving the world.... ( The Real one no less )

[enoy21]

Done in ten days what hadn't been done by other scientists in 14 years....

For more than a decade, Researchers were stumped by the structure of a tiny protein that causes AIDS in rhesus monkeys. Eventually they turned to computer gamers, who figured out the protein's structure in just 10 days. - More at http://www.npr.org/2011/10/02/140979241/when-scientists-fail-its-time-to-call-in-the-gamers?ft=1&f=2&sc=17

[Playtrumpet]

They're thinking about trying to figure out the flu next? We already have seasonal shots for flus.. Can't they focus on cancers? I'm still just more excited about neutrinos.

[alaricljs]

Cancers function in a completely different way from virii.  As far as it goes, the flu has a very high profile for a virus.

I'm sure that if cancers were susceptible in the same ways as a virus it would be high on the list.

[enoy21]

As another thought. I saw this and had one of those dual thoughts as  

OMG THAT'S AWESOME..... Followed by

OMG that's SCARY


The Awesome part :

"Researchers at the University of Washington were stumped. They were looking at a protein that causes AIDS in rhesus monkeys, but after 14 years of study, no one was able to figure out the protein's exact structure. "
...
"But when scientists failed, gamers came to the rescue."
...
"They did it in 10 days."


The Scary part:

"We can actually take the proteins that are designed by players in the game, and ... synthesize them in the lab, and actually make their designs real," Cooper says, "and see if they work as we expect them."

Do I really want an energy drink jacked up jaded gamer to be able to create a real protein or virus from a computer generated model ?    The world thinks hacker virus' are bad now. Just want until they start writing code for Human spreadable virus' because he just got Instagibbed in his favorite shooter


Seems pretty awesome like a Nuclear power..... It's great and dandy (yes I said dandy)  for providing energy ... It's awfully destructive for bombs.

[Mazora]

What exactly have they done to help? LOL

[enoy21]

Found out how to predict the viruses growth therefore allowing them to simulate various counters to that growth to see if they can find something that stops it.

[Playtrumpet]

Cancers function in a completely different way from virii.  As far as it goes, the flu has a very high profile for a virus.

I'm sure that if cancers were susceptible in the same ways as a virus it would be high on the list.

Proteins are a fundamental part of both illnesses. Research is being done on this level for plenty of things, though I don't understand why this seems to be different than any other protein research. The process by which they found it could apply to discovering the still remaining mysteries of proteins relating to the formation of cancers. Of course it's different, but it's not a crazy idea to think this could apply to different research besides viruses.

[Lanx]

always brings me back to this TED talk by this woman
http://www.mmomeltingpot.com/2010/07/jane-mcgonigal-talks-at-ted-the-world-needs-gamers/

[enoy21]

That is an awesome take on the age old concept of using games to accomplish a goal by keeping people interested and working together.  
I like the modern day references and analogies.  


I wish I got a +2 for customer service and +20 for Crisis management when our Primary data servers Raid controller took a crap yesterday.

You know what I got ?  

" Well done, see you in the morning "

...

...

I should have a little Sims Icon over my head saying DING ... and the angels start to sing in the choir for my glorious accomplishment of the day.  Maybe even a new Chest piece or Helm.

[AvenZerg]

As another thought. I saw this and had one of those dual thoughts as  

OMG THAT'S AWESOME..... Followed by

OMG that's SCARY


The Awesome part :

"Researchers at the University of Washington were stumped. They were looking at a protein that causes AIDS in rhesus monkeys, but after 14 years of study, no one was able to figure out the protein's exact structure. "
...
"But when scientists failed, gamers came to the rescue."
...
"They did it in 10 days."


The Scary part:

"We can actually take the proteins that are designed by players in the game, and ... synthesize them in the lab, and actually make their designs real," Cooper says, "and see if they work as we expect them."

Do I really want an energy drink jacked up jaded gamer to be able to create a real protein or virus from a computer generated model ?    The world thinks hacker virus' are bad now. Just want until they start writing code for Human spreadable virus' because he just got Instagibbed in his favorite shooter


Seems pretty awesome like a Nuclear power..... It's great and dandy (yes I said dandy)  for providing energy ... It's awfully destructive for bombs.

The explanation on that page is pretty blank and i could see why you would think that..  i'm pretty sure that program is limited (like everything humans make) but then again you never know..
even tho i'm pretty ignorant towards that program i'm kinda contemplating how it works really.. i can't imagine those games being as entertaining as *cough* avatar *cough* haha xD