double-blind study - an experimental procedure in which neither the subjects of the experiment nor the persons administering the experiment know the critical aspects of the experiment; a double-blind procedure is used to guard against both experimenter bias and placebo effects.
No they get more expensive, airlines will always advise you to book in advance to take advantage of their best fares. Sometimes they do a special deal but not within a week of flying. I would try another airline or make different plans.
Standby for different departure: You have a confirmed ticket but it's a cheap red-eye and you'd love to get on that earlier (and more expensive) flight. Try standby, but beware: the reason the earlier flight is more expensive is because it's more popular so it's likely full.