Scientist to test predictions of Einstein's general theory of relativity

Washington: The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded 14 million euros to a team of European astrophysicists to construct the first accurate image of a black hole, and to test the predictions of current theories of gravity, including Einstein's general theory of relativity.

The team, led by three principal investigators -- Heino Falcke, Radboud University Nijmegen; Michael Kramer, Max-Planck-Institut fur Radioastronomie; and Luciano Rezzolla, Goethe University in Frankfurt will combine several telescopes around the globe to peer into the heart of our own galaxy, which hosts a mysterious radio source called Sagittarius A* which is considered to be the central supermassive black hole.


Falcke, professor in radio astronomy at Radboud University in Nijmegen and ASTRON, the Netherlands, said that while most astrophysicists believe black holes exists, nobody has actually ever seen one, asserting that the technology is now advanced enough that we can actually image black holes and check if they truly exist as predicted: If there is no event horizon, there are no black holes.

The scientists want to peer into the heart of our own galaxy, which hosts a mysterious radio source called Sagittarius A*. The object is known to have a mass of around 4 million times the mass of the Sun and is considered to be the central supermassive black hole of the Milky Way.

As gaseous matter is attracted towards the event horizon by the black hole's gravitational attraction, strong radio emission is produced before the gas disappears. The event horizon should then cast a dark shadow on that bright emission. Given the huge distance to the center of the Milky Way, the shadow is equivalent to the size of an apple on the Moon seen from Earth.

Rezzolla said that Einstein's general theory of relativity is the best theory of gravity we know, but it is not the only one; he added that they will use these observations to find out if black holes, one of the most cherished astrophysical objects, exist or not, asserting that finally, they have the opportunity to test gravity in a regime that until recently belonged to the realm of science fiction; it will be a turning point in modern science.

The Biggest Changes Coming to Social Media in 2014

Happy Birthday, Facebook.

In February 2014, the world’s most popular social network will celebrate a major milestone: it’s 10th birthday. It’s hard to imagine that what began in 2004 as a college side project for a certain introverted Harvard sophomore is now used by 1/7th of the planet. Meanwhile, other networks like Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ all have growing userbases in the hundreds of millions. Global networks like Sina Weibo and Qzone are quickly catching up.

The bottom line: there are billions of people around the world already on social media, more are joining every day, and this means big changes for all of us. So what can we can expect to see in the near future? Here is a peek into social media’s crystal ball for next year:

1. Learn to tweet - Your boss expects it. Social media will help you do your job better

You know the old guy who’s been at the company forever and still can’t figure out email? If you don’t get up to speed on social media in 2014, you’re that guy. Compared to last year, there are 13 times as many jobs advertised on Indeed.com that mention the use of social media. "We are seeing an increased demand for social savvy candidates across the business - from human resources to product to customer service," Amy Crow, Indeed's communication director told Quartz earlier this year. Not only are departments like marketing, sales and customer service expected to be on Twitter and Facebook, but teams as diverse as R&D, logistics and HR are increasingly using internal networks like Yammer to streamline operations. Social media has grown so critical to the workplace, in fact, that major universities are beginning to offer certificate programs for socially inept corporate types to get up to speed.

2. Tweets that hunt you down. Local businesses invade your Twitter stream.

Get ready to see ads from the neighborhood pub on Twitter. Native social media ads - the ones that appear right in your Twitter and Facebook streams - exploded in 2013. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re only getting bigger in 2014. This year, expect some significant, if slightly creepy, advances in location-specific targeting. Twitter, for instance, just unveiled a feature enabling paid Tweets to be targeted by zip code. You walk into a neighborhood, for instance, and suddenly Promoted Tweets for the local sushi joint, dry cleaner and McDonald’s pop up in your Twitter stream. This kind of “geo-fencing,” which Facebook has had since 2011, enables businesses to court nearby customers who might actually want to get ads offering special deals, in-store specials, etc. The upside: more relevant ads and promos you can actually use. The downside: more ads.

3. Tweet that complaint. Social media will change the customer service game, giving you a chance to really call out that big bad corporation.

The ability of customers to air their dirty laundry to the world via Twitter and Facebook has already changed the customer service game. A recent Nielsen survey shows more than half of all customers now turn to social media for redress; meanwhile, some 81 percent of Twitter users expect a same-day response to questions and complaints. But this fall things got even more interesting: On Sept. 2, British Airways passenger Hasan Syed spent an estimated $1,000 to purchase several promoted Tweets blasting the company for losing luggage. With paid social media now in customers’ arsenal, 2014 may mark the beginning of the end of abysmal customer service at major airlines, credit card companies, banks and other repeat offenders.

By Ryan Holmes

Introverts

The prospect of job hunting can be particularly challenging for an introvert. If you find yourself on the introverted side of the I-E continuum, you've likely felt that key segments of the search process were stacked against you. Between the "on the spot" nature of interview questions and required networking — the process can seem a complete mismatch with regard to your strengths. Unfortunately, the proverbial "one size fits all " workplace bias, can also extend to the selection process. So, what are the best techniques to bend the odds in favor of finding the right job-person match?
While many people confuse being introverted with shyness, introversion is in fact about how an individual handles stimulation and processes information. Fortunately, as the importance of embracing individual differences increases in the workplace, the so-called mysteries of introversion will become more universally understood. This aside, turning ourselves completely "inside out" while job hunting is simply not necessary. Introversion is not the problem or a weakness — the challenge is to effectively relay vital information concerning our strengths, as they mesh and align with potential roles. This effectively increases the potential of finding that "best fit" opportunity.
Mechanisms that help to communicate the "whole story" become critical. In many cases, introverts possess a unique set of qualities that are not fully expressed within the traditional job search process. (Many of these qualities can only be appreciated with time.) This can lead to inaccurate or incomplete impressions concerning capabilities. Ultimately, this a communication gap that we cannot afford.
A few thoughts to consider:

• Let your network work for you. Not earth-shattering news — but, strategic none the less. (More on branding for introverts from HBR here.) You may not personally wish to broadcast your accomplishments at every turn — and you likely have limits on your desire to network. So, start small, and concentrate on connecting with one or two individuals at events which provide networking opportunities. Also remember that others may be more than happy to do some of this for you. Let your trusted, established connections know exactly what you are looking for — as they can also serve as a powerful marketing team. Those willing to recommend you for a role, team or project, can contribute to the positive buzz. This may lead you to the right role.
• Yep, you'll still need an "Elevator Pitch" (or two). It's difficult to communicate important messages about our work when answering questions in a pinch or presenting — so craft the messages you wish to convey at your own thoughtful pace, on your own time. As discussed by Susan Cain, find methods that allow you to start with smaller steps. Fill 2-3 note cards with vital information concerning what you bring to the table and your target role. Then choose the salient points. (You can also utilize a recording device to video yourself delivering the messages.) It can take a few "takes" to perfect the messages — but, you'll likely find an opportunity to use them.
• Build a 3-D social media presence. Utilize social media channels to represent your work — as this process allows you to build your presence with the forethought you crave. Start a blog in a niche area to gain visibility. "Flesh" out skeleton profiles with examples of your work and the real-life problems that you've solved. Many sites allow room to highlight past projects — so be creative in this regard. LinkedIn for example, allows you to upload images, video, documents and other information about you and your work directly to your profile.
• Express your Personal Value Proposition (PVP). Educating others about you and your unique qualifications is what the job search process should be about — and a personal value proposition is critical. (Read the HBR post here.) Companies such as the 1-Page Company, allow you to develop your own proposal as a vehicle to let organizations know exactly what you bring to the table. The platform has the capability to help you communicate your skill set and your creative solutions to specific problems.
• Live your dream. Passion for your work can carry you a very long way. If you have a dream role or "vision" project, attempt to make this a reality. Interestingly, you don't necessarily have to wait for a single employer to give you the go ahead — you can make it happen your way. If you are open to freelance work, O-Desk and Elance offer a great platform to link you with the work that you enjoy and aligns with your strengths. Sites such as Kickstarter, offer an opportunity to gain funding for your dream project.
• Practice the "power pose". Gaining a mental edge before an interview is also important — as sometimes our own bodies betray us. Recent research has shown that our physical stance shortly before an interview, can affect what we project (and how we are subsequently evaluated) during that interview. Spending as little as 2 minutes in a "power pose" can lower the amount of the stress hormone cortisol flowing through our bodies. I'd say it's worth a try.
• Know your limits. The job hunt can include many situations that are quite stimulating. While activities such as networking, professional meetings and conferences are important to find a job you love — know when you've had enough. Many introverts can feel drained after participating in these types of situations, so leave ample time to recharge.

What techniques have you utilized to help find a role you love?
Dr. Marla Gottschalk is an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist, consultant and speaker. She also writes The Office Blend.