>We test a class of holographic models for the very early Universe against cosmological observations and find that they are competitive to the standard cold dark matter model with a cosmological constant (ΛCDM) of cosmology. These models are based on three-dimensional perturbative superrenormalizable quantum field theory (QFT), and, while they predict a different power spectrum from the standard power law used in ΛCDM, they still provide an excellent fit to the data (within their regime of validity). By comparing the Bayesian evidence for the models, we find that ΛCDM does a better job globally, while the holographic models provide a (marginally) better fit to the data without very low multipoles (i.e., l≲30), where the QFT becomes nonperturbative. Observations can be used to exclude some QFT models, while we also find models satisfying all phenomenological constraints: The data rule out the dual theory being a Yang-Mills theory coupled to fermions only but allow for a Yang-Mills theory coupled to nonminimal scalars with quartic interactions. Lattice simulations of 3D QFTs can provide nonperturbative predictions for large-angle statistics of the cosmic microwave background and potentially explain its apparent anomalies."
So, basically, the holographic models seem to be pretty good, in the areas where it is perturbative (roughly l>30), it appears to fit slightly better than the current theories ("lambda CDM" models). The paper can rule out some of the holographic models because they don't fit the data, while other models fit great. Finally, the non-perturbative holographic models (roughly l<=30) might be able to be made to fit the data better if they are not calculated in a perturbative sense.
This seems to be pretty close to what the article says...
What new evidence a model brings? Model can be used to plan experiment based on it and that is evidence (once you carry out the experiment that is). Model is only used to explain how stuff is supposed to work.
Please read conclusion section of the paper.
example:
Epicycles also explain how planet movement works - but it is not evidence how it works it is explanation based on data.
