What is citizen science?
Citizen science projects involves non-professionals participating in data analysis, and data collection. Zooniverse is an example of a website that provides multiple science projects. Users are able to decide which project suits them; areas of research between space, climate, humanities and nature. You can help to examine how galaxies form, “to classifying years of tropical cyclone data [and] to analysing real life cancer data.” Zooniverse has more than “850,000” members, who have participated is more than 20 citizen science projects over the years. Overall, citizen science demonstrates that people want to make a contribution to science.
How does Fold.It help science?
Fold.it is an online game that develops complex puzzles about how proteins fold, one of the most difficult problems in biology. Fold.it “[takes] advantage of humans puzzle-solving intuitions,” by having people attempt to fold the best proteins.
Members can create new proteins that may eventually help to prevent or treat fatal diseases. Fold.it has proven to work, as “researchers show how gamers [provide] the crucial insights to solve the structure of a protein-sniping enzyme critical for reproduction of the AIDS virus.”
With the assists from “game-players’ strategies, researchers [were able to reveal] the enzymes’ structure within three weeks and identified [a cure] to neutralise it.”
Sources: https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-citizen-science-16487
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/foldit-gamers-solve-riddle/
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