# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Research on vagus nerve stimulation was shared, including papers on high-resolution measurement in dogs and selective stimulation for blood pressure control with minimal side effects.

• Experimental cancer treatments were discussed, including a case where a surgeon used Enterobacter aerogenes bacteria to treat glioblastoma, and the development of poliovirus-based treatments that target brain tumors due to specific receptors on tumor surfaces.

• Technical discussions covered deriving Kirchhoff's circuit laws from Maxwell's equations, with reference to Roth's paper on Kron's method of tearing.

• CAD software recommendations for laser cutting included BRL-CAD with Python parametric constraint solvers and FEniCS/Dolfin for finite element analysis, particularly for designs requiring parametric capabilities.

• The affordability of laser technology was highlighted, with 40W CO2 lasers available for under $400, though participants noted that additional components significantly increase the total cost of a complete laser cutter system.

• A philosophical discussion emerged about "cargo cult science" in hackerspaces, describing situations where people go through scientific motions without understanding the underlying principles.