- The Allen Institute’s BigNeuron contest for 3-D neuronal reconstruction from light-microscopy stacks explicitly excludes electron-microscopy data, sparking debate over possible imaging or mounting limitations.  
- NeuroPG, a new open-source package for optical pattern generation and neuroscience data acquisition, was introduced along with its Frontiers in Neuroengineering paper.  
- Participants explored low-cost NIR spectroscopy hardware, including repurposing TOSLINK fiber-optic cables and comparing glass vs. plastic fibers for applications like beer fermentation monitoring.  
- Paywalled research on hemispherectomy outcomes in epilepsy and formal verification of dynamically typed programs was shared via paperbot and direct PDF links, illustrating the channel’s routine bypassing of journal paywalls.  
- Daniel Suarez’s technothriller “Influx” was recommended for its premise of a secret “Bureau of Technology Control” suppressing breakthroughs such as gravity-reflection devices, highlighting fears of an artificial technological dark age.  
- A Phys.org article on maze-solving automatons led to discussion of salamander regeneration mechanisms, suggesting unexplored links between bio-electromagnetism and regenerative medicine.  
- The group proposed accelerating nuclear-power deployment through an open-source control-room software suite and an SKDB entry for open nuclear-plant designs, lamenting the current lack of new builds.