Gamers Solve Molecular Puzzle that Baffles Scientist

Summary:
Foldit is a new interactive online game in which gamers can try to solve many of the scientific problems that baffle scientists even today. Recently a team of gamers discovered the structure of an enzyme pivotal to the spreading of the AIDS virus. This information could potentially allow scientists to develop drugs that counteract this enzyme and stop the virus in its tracks.

Author:
The author of this article is Alan Boyle, a reporter from MSNBC's Cosmic Log, a site dedicated to educating the public about scientific issues and innovations. Since MSNBC's purpose is to inform viewers and readers of current happenings, I don't feel as though they possess any biases which could have altered the information presented.

Context:
Casual: The discovery of the structure of the enzyme linked to AIDS prompted the writing of this article

Purpose:
Inform readers of a new program called Foldit and its scientific accomplishments

Audience:
Since the article was posted on MSNBC's Cosmic Log which only writes about scientific events, the target audience is most likely scientists and others who enjoy science related news.

Rhetorical Devices:
Contrary to what many may think when reading the title of the article, the writer does not admonish or condemn the scientists who were "outsmarted" by the gamers; nor does he exalt the gamers who accomplished the goals. Instead, he examines the possibilities of Foldit. It is clear that the article is very uplifting and the tone can only be described as hopeful. He quotes the researchers who designed the program state only positive things such as, "These features provide exciting opportunities for the design of retroviral drugs, including AIDS drugs" and "Foldit shows that a game can turn novices into domain experts capable of producing first-class scientific discoveries." It is quite clear from the inclusion of these many quotes that the author is also hopeful that this program can solve many more problems which plague scientists. The usage of quotes by reputable persons in technological and scientific fields of study help to support his claim and hope that this program will do just that.