Decade-long AIDS puzzle solved by groups of gamers

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selenahill21

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Gamers playing a protein-folding game called Foldit have helped unlock the structure of an AIDS-related enzyme. Fortunately, HIV and AIDS are no longer an immediate death sentence. Treating these diseases, however, has not changed since 1996. Researchers have been trying to determine how the proteins of this group of infections function together. Now, in three weeks, a group of players untangled an AIDS-like disease that scientists have been puzzling over for years.
 

mirandashell

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Three weeks?! That's amazing. What a brilliant idea to outsource it. Gets the grunt work done in no time at all.
 

Maggie Maxwell

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I remember hearing about this a few years ago, it's an old discovery at this point. A very cool one at the time, but I'm curious about whether any progress has been made in the years since.

It is fascinating what games and gamers can be used for today.
 
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