• A 1-G constant-acceleration spacecraft could deliver human travelers to the Andromeda Galaxy in only ~60 years of subjective (proper) time, demonstrating the extreme relativistic time-dilation achievable with sustained high acceleration.

• The Allen Institute for AI was highlighted as a new, well-funded entrant in open artificial-intelligence research, expanding the landscape beyond traditional academic and corporate labs.

• Two open-source PCR projects were shared: NinjaPCR (GitHub: hisashin/NinjaPCR), an updated fork of OpenPCR, and its documentation wiki at pcr.tori.st.

• A modular microfluidic CAD framework under development allows users to snap together components like LEGO, automatically validates port compatibility, and exports 3-D models to G-code or CAM formats for lithography or FIB fabrication; clipperlib is recommended for 2-D polygon operations.

• The Brain Preservation Foundation awarded its Small-Mammal Brain Preservation Prize to 21st Century Medicine for “aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation” of an intact rabbit brain, verified with FIB-SEM imaging; the technique is now advancing to pig-brain validation, and researcher Robert McIntyre has launched Nectome to commercialize it.

• Supporting resources for aldehyde-stabilized cryopreservation include the full Cryobiology 2015 paper, a 2 GB FIB-SEM dataset, vitrification videos, and an ASC FAQ at aurellem.org/ASC-FAQ.html.

• Participants debated the legitimacy of the ITIF “Luddite Award,” questioning whether it represents genuine pro-technology advocacy or merely political public-relations messaging.

• A caustic essay attacking MIRI and Eliezer Yudkowsky sparked debate; critics argued that its heavy use of ad-hominem and loaded language undermines any substantive AI-risk skepticism.

• An Atlantic article on “research pirates” using dark-web sites to liberate paywalled scientific papers was circulated, highlighting ongoing tensions around open access in science.