- SKDB (an open-source CAD/CAM package for hardware design) was actively developed; commits show debugging of Lego-part mating grammars, fixing coordinate-system bugs in OpenCASCADE (gp_Ax3 y_vec vs z_vec), and resolving YAML attribute overwrites that had blocked proper part transforms for five hours.

- Discussion of “underground” procurement of cognitive enhancers: ybit threatened to leave the medical system for modafinil/Adderall; kanzure proposed compiling a public list of suppliers and suggested the ImmInst.org community as a source.

- kanzure posted a comprehensive set of southwestern-blot protocols (electrophoretic mobility shift assay plus DNA-binding detection) from protocol-online.org after drazak requested fluorescent-probe EMSA references.

- NSF grant mechanics were dissected: FastLane accounts require university sponsorship and PI codes; grants.gov opportunity PD-08-1464 appeared in the catalog yet returned “no results,” highlighting confusion in federal funding portals for unaffiliated researchers.

- A practical citizen-science question was raised: katsmeow-afk sought existing studies on vegetables grown in trash-fire smoke to present to local government as evidence against illegal backyard burning.