24052230
submission
Faizdog writes
"In just three weeks, gamers deciphered the structure of a key protein in the development of AIDS that has stumped scientists for years. According to a study published Sunday in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, the findings could present a significant breakthrough for AIDS and HIV research.
Using an online game called Foldit, players were able to predict the structure of a protein called retroviral protease, an enzyme that plays a critical role in the way HIV multiplies. Unlocking the build of the protein could theoretically aid scientists in developing drugs that would stop protease from spreading."Link to Original Source
12893992
submission
Faizdog writes
"The NY Times amongst many others is reporting that due to the previously reported ongoing delays with The Hobbit, Del Toro has quit as the director
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/del-toro-quits-as-director-of-the-hobbit/
"The creative team for “The Hobbit,” the long-awaited live-action film adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel about the diminutive fantasy hero Bilbo Baggins, has shrunk. Over the weekend the filmmaker Guillermo del Toro said he was departing the project as its director, amid uncertainty about a start date for shooting and the future of the studio releasing it. ""Link to Original Source
5804721
submission
Faizdog writes
"The New Yorker has a fascinating article about Cameron Willingham, who was sentenced to death for the killing of his 3 children by arson.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/09/07/090907fa_fact_grann?currentPage=all
The wikipedia page for the case states: [Seventeen years after the fire and five years after Willingham's execution, a report conducted by Craig Beyler, hired by the Texas Forensic Science Commission to review the case, found that "a finding of arson could not be sustained". Beyler said that key testimony from a fire marshal at Willingham's trial was "hardly consistent with a scientific mind-set and is more characteristic of mystics or psychics".
Fire investigator Gerald L. Hurst reviewed the case documents, including the trial transcriptions and an hour-long videotape of the aftermath of the fire scene. Hurst said, "There's nothing to suggest to any reasonable arson investigator that this was an arson fire. It was just a fire."]
The article highlights the flaws in the current capital punishment system, and the challenges faced by inmates unable to afford reliable legal representation. A fascinating read into the legal system, and low bar on evidence that permits false and pseudo-scientific evidence to condemn lives. Part of the evidence against Willingham included the death metal posters of bands whose music he liked."
5459843
submission
Faizdog writes
"George Sodini was a quiet computer nerd, who was frustrated at having women reject him even though "he was tan and fit and claimed to dress well and smell nice." He was tired of being alone every evening and going to bed alone, having last slept with a woman 19 years ago. In retaliation, he went into a women's fitness class at a health club and opened fire with the intention to massacre women.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jCr-8hvMxT_o93eW1whvXEAyJfqAD99T31MG0
We hear a lot about computer geeks going extreme, but this one bad case of rejection."
3311025
submission
Faizdog writes
"In a dramatic action to highlight malaria, Bill Gates unleashed a swarm of live mosquitoes on the
crowd at the TED conference. His point was that poor people shouldn't be the only ones who suffer this malaria causing discomfort.
http://www.avclub.com/articles/bill-gates-terrifies-ted-conference-with-mosquitos,23420/"
603204
submission
Faizdog writes
"There is a Legend of Zelda movie being made. Based largely on Ocarina of Time, the movie is based on a story of the Link, The Hero of Time.
It's fairly well along and should be released on April 1st, 2009. The trailer alone is awe inspiring:
http://movies.ign.com/dor/articles/863515/legend-of-zelda-movie-trailer/videos/legendofzelda_filmtrailer_040108.html"
