While US politicians start dumping their clout, money, and reputations to study just how much damage video games do to children, here's Debra Lieberman (pictured), a college professor and researcher who's just gotten an $8.25 million grant to conduct a study to find how games can benefit our health and emotional wellbeing.

It seems that the focus will not only be on "edugames" in the vein of, I don't know, Reader Rabbit, but also mainstream games that can have a positive effect on youngsters.

Just look at what Nintendo's doing. With Wii Fit, Wii Sports, Brain Age, and Flash Focus, it seems that Big N wants us all to be toned, athletic, smart, visually-astute young citizens. It's not all about blood and guts and teamkilling.

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