Surprising Science — February 24, 2014

How Big Is Our Universe?

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Exactly how big is the universe? DNews discusses the latest theories and just how close we are to knowing almost the exact size of our vast cosmic home.

Image credit: thebadastronomer/Flickr

A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people

Starts With A Bang

Political realities do not change scientific ones

In partisan political times, recognizing the scientific truth is more important than ever. Scientists must be vocal and clear about reality.

A robotic prosthetic arm with visible internal mechanisms, wires, and a mechanical hand. Labels such as "SFU" and "BESOM" are visible on the arm casing.

The Present

The Cybathlon: Bionic athletes compete for the gold — and push assistive technologies forward

In the international competition, people with physical disabilities put state-of-the-art devices to the test as they race to complete the tasks of everyday life.

A yellow road sign reading "SLOW NOW" stands before a breathtaking mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky, reminding travelers of the art of slow productivity.

Business

Why “slow productivity” is the key to great work and happy teams

Cal Newport explains how you and your teams can accomplish more while improving quality and supercharging workplace morale.

Diagram of the expanding universe concept with cosmic inflation, light cone, and time axis.

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: What’s the deal with cosmic inflation and the Big Bang?

Almost everyone asserts that the Big Bang was the beginning of everything, followed by inflation. Has everyone gotten the order wrong?

Starts With A Bang

Ask Ethan: How does the Universe’s temperature change over time?

Today, the deepest depths of intergalactic space aren’t at absolute zero, but at a chill 2.73 K. How does that temperature change over time?

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