# Summary of #hplusroadmap IRC Log (October 18, 2014)

The log was relatively quiet with limited substantive discussion, but contained a few notable points:

* Discussion about cryptocurrency mining hardware, confirming that scrypt ASICs (specialized hardware) had been developed for mining Litecoin and other alternative cryptocurrencies, which explains why high-end GPUs remained in demand.

* Kanzure shared a tool called PEDA (Python Exploit Development Assistance for GDB), a GitHub project providing reverse engineering capabilities including ROP gadget search and shellcode generation.

* A conversation about parsing chemical synthesis instructions revealed challenges in creating machine-readable formats for scientific protocols, with kanzure sharing an XML format for PCR protocols and noting the lack of incentive for scientists to document procedures in software-friendly ways.

* Kanzure shared research on "Towards reliable storage of 56-bit secrets in human memory" which explores using spaced repetition techniques for memorizing cryptographic secrets.

* A brief discussion about the immune system noted the complexity of immunology and suggested more research should focus on gentler ways to "reboot" the immune system using stem cells rather than aggressive chemotherapy approaches.

* Several technical resources were shared including Verilog trending repositories on GitHub, Bitcoin ECDSA mathematical explanations, and OpenCores SHA-256 implementation code.