# Key Points from #hplusroadmap IRC Discussion

• Participants debated public access to government-funded research, with some arguing taxpayer funding creates public ownership rights, though this argument doesn't address international access considerations.

• Bitcoin technology developments were discussed, including BitFury's new 16nm ASIC chip achieving 0.055-0.07 joules per gigahash efficiency, alongside challenges in implementing soft-forks in the Bitcoin network.

• The conversation explored the quinolinic acid theory of depression, noting that post-mortem brains of depression patients show elevated levels, and discussing how inflammation leads to intestinal dominance of serotonin utilization and kynurenine diversion to quinolinic acid.

• Researchers discussed how norharmane (beta carboline) may suppress quinolinic acid production, potentially offering a mechanism for addressing depression through this pathway.

• A participant shared their experience with non-24-hour sleep disorder, describing failed interventions including melatonin and light therapy, while noting some symptom improvement with magnesium supplementation.

• The group explored a novel gesture-based input system using impedance tomography for full-body computer interaction, debating its practicality for exercise during computer work.

• Brain uploading challenges were discussed, particularly funding difficulties due to lack of interim revenue, along with technical questions about counting synaptic vesicles via electron microscopy to determine neuronal weights.