[longshadow]

.... puts to rest the new "crashing brane" theory of oscillating universes, proposed by Steinhardt and Turok.

If their oscillating Universe is based on the "Ekpyrotic Model," you are correct. Polarization is predicted by the BB theory (Inflationary variant, I believe); the Ekpyrotic Model apparently says there should be NO polarization of the CMB. Therefore, the recently observed polarization gives further support to the BB model, while casting the Ekpyrotic model into the darkness....

[PatrickHenry]

If their oscillating Universe is based on the "Ekpyrotic Model," you are correct.

I've read that such is the case.