LIGO, False Memories, and Self-Driving Cars: NOVA Next Week in Review

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This Week’s NOVA Next Feature

Upgrades to the observatory sharpened its hearing, allowing scientists to detect the waves after just 16 days. NOVA Next contributor Kate Becker

In other news:

• Gravitational waves found in 1.3 billion-year-old black hole collision. [Bonus:

  Related

  

  Tiny Black Holes

  

  Elements in the Ocean

  

  The Many Worlds Theory Today

  we thought we found gravitational waves before.]
• Here’s what image overload is doing to your brain.
• What’s the physics behind texting ?
• Studying periods is important for everyone’s health (not just people with a uterus). Watch this special “not gross” edition of Gross Science.
• The bacteria that help bears hibernate could help cancer patients.
• Google’s self-driving car may soon be considered a legal driver.
• Researchers found that one-third of all teachers believe that climate change “is likely due to natural causes.”
• What if you could not only record memories, but replace them , too?
• She’s able to convince people that they committed a crime—even if they didn’t. Read our AMA with Dr. Julia Shaw, memory scientist and criminal psychologist.

What We’re Reading

• LIGO is “a testament to the persistent curiosity and ingenuity of humankind.” [The New York Times]
• The answer to the “final parsec problem” could change our understanding of how the universe became so elaborate . [Nautilus Magazine]
• How did Zika spread so quickly? Check out this interactive map documenting its trajectory. [FRONTLINE]
• Natural history museums are teeming with undiscovered species . [The Atlantic]