The latest trend in scientific research is distributed computing, using thousands or millions of computers spread across the Internet to work together as one ultra-powerful super computer.  There are a number of research projects that rely upon distributed computing to perform the complex and time-consuming calculations that would take too long with just one computer.  How it works: you install a piece of software on your computer that uses your computer's idle time to help contribute to the massive task at hand.

Next time you get up from your computer, consider this - you could be helping scientists discover new ways to attack the global food crisis, find a cure for cancer or understand the impact of climate change on Africa.

An IBM-supported computer grid works for the common good - May. 15, 2008

ALSO check out Stanford's Folding @ Home