This Week’s NOVA Next Feature Article
Follow the decades-long astrophysical odyssey that nearly glimpsed the beginning of time. NOVA Next contributor Amanda Gefter reports on the story behind BICEP2 and the search for proof of cosmic inflation—through the eyes of Andrei Linde and other physicists themselves.
In other news from NOVA and around the web:
- The practice of quarantine has been around for quite a long time. Here’s some of its history .
- New evidence suggests that chocolate dramatically improves memory skills .
- Why is laughter so much fun? A neuroscientist discusses the science behind why we laugh .
- Ebola might be detectable with just a piece of paper . Other medical diagnostics like this one are upending the healthcare system altogether.
- We know there’s water on the moon, but could we use it in future manned or robotic missions? Two NASA proposals aim to find out.
- Check out some of Col. Chris Hadfield’s most breathtaking photos from space.
- What is the smallest particle in the universe?
- Google is developing a pill that would detect cancer and other diseases .
Did you miss "First Air War" this week? Watch it streaming online.
If you need a reason to watch "First Air War," watch our senior science editor, Evan Hadingham, grab a pint at the local pub and tell us a hair-raising tale about the early days of aviation.
- Scientists have linked more than 100 genes to autism. Autism is also being identified earlier in a child’s life than ever before, perhaps causing people to think it is more prevalent.
- Two genes may explain up to 10% of violent crime.
- What does handedness have to do with the origin of life? The answer is in RNA . Learn more about RNA with our RNA Lab .
- The Chinese city of Guangzhou has introduced a fish that eats mosquito larvae to curb dengue fever. A recent dengue outbreak in Japan shows just how delicate the tropical-disease situation is.
- Bioinspired underwater glue could soon replace stitches.
