When James Buck, a graduate student from the University of California, Berkeley, met Mohammed Maree, an Egyptian veterinary student, while working on a photography project in Mahalla, he never thought he'd be trying to help this man be freed from an Egyptian jail.

But that is, exactly, what happened one fateful day in Egypt. Maree had offered to help Buck by being his translator while he photographed some anti-government protests over low wages and rising food prices, and while in the middle of the protest, both Buck and Maree were detained. On the way to the police station, Buck sent a message via Twitter that read one word: "Arrested." Buck's school hired an attorney, and was able to get him released within a day. Feeling guilty about leaving Maree behind, Buck contacted U.S. and Egyptian authorities and human rights groups, used Twitter updates, and created a petition online signed by more than 900 demanding Maree's release.

According to CNN.com, Buck said he cringed each time he checked his e-mail about what was happening with Maree's case, until he got an e-mail from Maree saying he had been released. Buck said he hopes to visit Maree as soon as possible and meet his family so that he can apologize to them and tell them about the impact Maree has made.

Since Maree has been released, Buck has said he wants to try to work with Twitter on establishing a global network help line for those who find themselves in similar situations. Could something like this maybe save someone's life one day? Or will it just become something that gains much attention, and then falls between the cracks because no one takes it seriously? I guess we'll just have to wait and see, but it seems like a useful tool.