• SKDB is being built as an “apt-get for hardware” system that can automatically generate build instructions for devices like RepRap printers; recent commits add unit tests for YAML package metadata, Python class loading (e.g., lego_package.Lego()), and interface definitions, while the community debates file organization and test granularity.

• A 2002 preprint on DIY micro-electrode array fabrication using wire-EDM was circulated to support open-source neuroscience hardware, and the Topographica cortical-modeling simulator was re-shared as a key tool for BCI and cognitive-enhancement research.

• Commercial RNA synthesis was discussed in the context of siRNA gene silencing, ribosome display, and in-vitro protein production, with warnings about RNase contamination and stability challenges.

• A technical debate over cheese microbiology concluded that PCR alone cannot reliably identify bacterial species; mixed cultures require cloning, plasmid propagation, and 16S rRNA sequencing, prompting proposals for a “cheese map” of species-specific primers.

• Mesenchymal stem-cell culture protocols were detailed, including serial passaging from 10 cm dishes to T-75 and T-150 flasks, primer design for 31 genes, and criticism of a Cornell paper for failing to specify which of the six VEGF-A splice variants was used.

• Two microfluidics papers (“Microfluidics History, Theory and Applications” and an additional zip archive) were uploaded to adl.serveftp.org/papers/ for open access.

• kanzure highlighted the absence of research on repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in pregnant women or fetuses, suggesting its potential for early neural plasticity interventions.

• Practical infrastructure tips included using dyndns/ddclient to avoid IP-address lookup issues for remote SSH access and experimenting with a Mumble voice server (71.207.247.209:64738) as an alternative to Skype for community calls.