"Virtual worlds with scientifically accurate simulations could permit learners to tinker with chemical reactions in living cells, practice operating and repairing expensive equipment, and experience microgravity," it says.

The document calls for a game engine that includes "powerful physics capabilities" that can "support accurate in-game experimentation and research".

"A Nasa-based MMO could provide opportunities for students to investigate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career paths while participating in engaging game-play."

Other organisations such as the US armed forces already use online gaming as a recruitment tool.

America's Army for example introduces players to the "seven Army Core Values" and now claims to be one of "the most popular computer games in the world".

1. How a NASA-based educational MMO should be designed.
2. How a NASA-based educational MMO should support both formal and informal education efforts.
3. How a NASA-based educational MMO should connect to current and future NASA missions.
4. How NASA career opportunities exploration and significant STEM learning experiences would be incorporated into the design a NASA-based educational MMO.
5. How a NASA-based educational MMO game play would be engaging for all participants.

Boys who play video games on school days spend 30 percent less time reading and girls spend 34 percent less time doing homework than those who do not play such games, U.S. researchers said on Monday.

But they said video games do not appear to interfere significantly with time spent with family and friends.

"Gamers did spend less time reading and doing homework. But they didn't spend less time interacting with their parents or their friends, nor did they spend less time in sports or active leisure activities," said Hope Cummings of the University of Michigan, whose study appears in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.

The study comes as U.S. doctors voice growing concern about the long-term effects of video games.

It is voice activated so once you select a receipe for every step there will be a voice prompt along with pictures. For eg - The DS will tell you "add oil to the pan" and once you say "ok" it will move to the next step, of course right now it supports Japanese only. But would you use your precious DS Lite in the kitchen and put it in harms way. To the rescue is Play Stand made by Hori corp Japan which will hold your DS firmly. You can also adjust the height and tilt it according to your convinience.

The program teaches military personnel some key gestures such as an up-down movement with the right hand to ask someone to slow down and gives them tips such as removing mirror sunglasses when approaching local people.

"In Iraq, to show sincerity you have to put more effort into your gestures," said Dr Vilhjalmsson.

"In Western countries, we control our body language more. In Arabic culture, it is important you show how open you are."

He added that reserved body language in exchanges with local people could be interpreted as having something to hide in Iraq, potentially escalating a tense situation.

Military personnel also learn that people can approach each other more closely than one normally might in the West.

Game players move their feet on a special mat to correspond to arrows that scroll on the TV screen. The player must tap the same symbols on the mat at just the right time to do well.

The game is not meant to replace physical education and health classes. Rather, it is one more option that may appeal to students who often dislike other sports.

"If we can get children to change their behavior at a young age they hopefully will grow up to be healthy, active adults, which would have a positive effect on health care costs," said Carl Callison with Mountain State Blue Cross.

West Virginia is consistently among the top three states for obesity, with about a third of its residents considered obese and even more overweight, according to the state Bureau of Public Health.

The entire game is played with the DS' stylus input. The patient's chest appears on screen, and you select your different instruments -- scalpel, forceps, sutures and more -- using small icons on the left and right side of the screen.

As you perform each task, you're graded on your surgical precision. The difficulty level of Trauma Center skyrockets after the first few operations.

By way of advice, common-sense notions about the human body do not apply. Example: One patient's aneurysms kept bursting (game over) until they were just sliced away, leaving arteries ripped in half. Not a drop of blood came out.

London Zoo is part of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity devoted to conservation and education. "We are pleased to be associating with Mindscape with the Zoo Vet game. We feel it is original and informative and works in harmony with London Zoo and it's visitors", remarked Caroline George, of London Zoo. "Our team have worked through the game and feel it offers a comprehensive and educational way of teaching youngsters about animals", she added.

Anyway, this rather lengthy prelude leads me to Wild Earth, an African safari adventure, developed by Seattle based Super X Studios, and set to be published in Europe by Digital Jesters later this year. Here players must wander the African Serengeti National Park taking photographs of wild animals while exploring the lusciously detailed environments. The game features "accurate and beautifully recreated wildlife" and simulated weather conditions, as well as specific assignments like night-time wildlife tracking. Apparently Wild Earth has also been developed as a "motion simulator thrill ride" and installed in several locations worldwide, including the Philadelphia and San Diego zoos.

Here's the thing: at no point do you shoot the animals with a gun. You don't even kung fu poachers to death.