New Scientist article summarizes recent paper by Sasha Kashlinsky of the Goddard Space Flight Center setting forth a theory the "dark flow" effect occurs because our universe was once influenced by neighbouring domains (arxiv.org/abs/0810.5388).
This article interviews Ray Kurzweil and summarizes some of his predictions for the next forty years.
Kurzweil is the author of "The Singularity is Near" and is well known for his predictions about technological developments in the coming century, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and in improving longevity and quality of life.