Saving mankind is a tall order, I know. However, a few research studies will be underway that will measure the effect of video games and how they may help Parkinson’s or help players lose weight while playing certain games. And as we all know, if anything can cure the “disease” of being overweight then it means there may be a future for human beings on this planet after all.

According to the press release…

This is the second round of grants to be awarded from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through its Health Games Research national program, based at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). Funded studies explore topics ranging from how dance pad games may help Parkinson's patients reduce the risk of falling to whether the Nintendo Wii can make a difference in lowering BMI for overweight high school students.

A press conference will take place today where nearly $2 million in grants will be given to the continued studies of video games and their effect with certain health conditions or how they may help improve the health-behaviors of some gamers. It at least sounds like the research will shed some positive light on video games and that’s good news for gamers who are still shamed from the taco throwing incident that you may have seen on Neoseeker.