This year was many things: the year of dragon, the presidential election, the beginning of a new chapter for Syria, and the end of an eras tour for Taylor Swift. According to data from job search platform Indeed, it was also the year of the behavior analyst. From December 2023 to December 2024, the number of job postings for behavior analysts rose 383% on Indeedfar more than any other job.What is a Behavior Analyst? Behavior analysts are trained in the science of human behavior. They observe peoples behavior and then look for ways to change it by modifying the environment. We ask, what are the influences on our behavior going on around us? says Bridget Blakely, an associate clinical professor at Drexel University, trained in behavior analysis. We observe and analyze people to understand what is impacting their ability to interact with the environment and find strategies to teach new behaviors.Behavior analysts are most commonly known for treating autism, but they can work in multiple settings including therapists offices or with patients in their homes. They can be found in schools helping children get up to speed with reading or math, or in hospitals helping older people struggling with dementia or teaching babies born prematurely how to chew. They can also be found in sports where they may work with athletes to improve their performance or corporate settings where they might be called upon to work on improving workplace efficiency.How do you become a behavior analyst?Becoming a behavior analyst requires getting a masters degree, completing 2,000 hours of field work, and passing a certification exam. Blakely estimates it typically takes one to two years for students to complete the process, depending on how many hours of field work they are willing to do a month, and the length of their university course.Indeed lists the median salary of a behavior analyst as $79,846. According to Adel Najdowski, professor and the director of the master of science in applied behavior analysis program at Pepperdine University, entry-level positions start at $15-$25 an hour. Board certified behavior analysts typically earn $65,000-$85,000 a year, while the next level up, clinical directors, earn around $120,000 and can be promoted to regional clinical directors who earn upwards of $150,000 a year depending on location.Its incredibly rewarding work, says Najdowski. As a 19-year-old, she decided to become a behavior analyst after watching one train a 4-year-old who couldnt speak. The analyst broke down speech into tiny steps, reinforcing each one, until the child was finally able to start naming objects. I could see how fast he was learning and how happy and proud he was, Najdowski says. Caregivers will be in tears because they are so happy.Whats behind the demand?Blakely and Najdowski agree that being a behavior analyst can be tough. Your clients might be dealing with behavior such as self-harm or aggression. If you work with clients at their houses, youll be on the road driving from one house to another, and often eating lunch in the car. Yet for both of them, the rewards more than make up for the challenges.Najdowski recommends anyone who is interested in becoming a behavior analyst first try to get a job as a behavior technician, an entry-level position, which typically does not require a masters. Youll be trained on the job, she says. Then, if its a good fit, its time to start looking for masters degrees.Najdowski speculates that 2024 may have seen an increase in calls for behavior analysts for two main reasons. First, insurance is increasingly covering behavior analysis. As of 2019, every state requires insurance to cover applied behavior analysis for people with autism. Second, people are becoming more aware of applied behavior analysis as an effective technique. Students always worry that they wont be able to get hired to do field work and then cant complete their training, Najdowski says. Getting hired is never a problem. Theres a huge demand.

The next housing boom will happen above Earth. Replacements for an aging International Space Station (ISS) slated for a 2030 decommission, NASAs Artemis mission returning humans to the moon and possibly Mars, and a burgeoning lunar economy are spurring teams of engineers and designers to reimagine habitats for extended living and working in space.Most of the next-generation space stations vying to expand the ISSs 11-person capacity and eventually replace it, feature fixed, rigid, cylindrical modules. But such architecture is expensive and dangerous because it requires multiple launches and spacewalks to assemble.The Boston nonprofit Aurelia Institute, a space architecture R&D lab and educator, hopes to hurdle those issues with a novel approach: magnetized computerized tiles that self-assemble in orbit into changeable geodesic spheres called TESSERAE. The name is short for Tessellated Electromagnetic Space Structures for the Exploration of Reconfigurable, Adaptive Environments. A sphere maximizes the volume you can get for the surface area, while the more spacious environs would improve psychological well-being over long stays.I was obsessed with how we scale human presence in space, says CEO Ariel Ekblaw, who cofounded Aurelia with chief designer Sana Sharma and Danielle DeLatte, now advisory member, while the three were at MIT. Even if the cost dropped dramatically tomorrow, we only have room for about a dozen people in orbit. So, we need a way of doing space construction thats faster than having to build something that can only be as big as your rocket payload fairing.CEO Ariel Ekblaw and CDO Sana Sharma [Photo: JimmyDay]Instead, TESSERAEs hexagon and pentagon-shaped tiles are designed to stack flat inside the fairing, the nose cone atop the rocket. Once in space, they would gently deploy in a net or lightly inflated balloon to keep them close enough for magnets along their edges to attract one another. They can also autonomously correct misalignments. Internal sensors, magnetometers, supercapacitors, and solar battery power technology determine whether a connection is successful, and, if not, pass currents through the magnets to neutralize their charges, enabling them to detach and try again. The final structure would resemble a giant soccer ball.They have that intelligence built into the system, and then they can self-correct; it doesnt require control from Earth or supervision by a human, says Ekblaw. The idea is that they find each other. Theyre like space Legos that build themselves in orbit.The structure would also change as needed. Once the tiles are in place, an inflatable bladder maintains the habitat integrity, so tiles can pop on and off to replace segments, windows, docking ports, or airlocks. With multiple spheres, astronauts can move to another section and fully depressurize the one undergoing reconstruction. TESSERAE represents a new way of thinking about space habitat design, notes Ekblaw on the Aurelia website. Were moving beyond early space stations confined, utilitarian spaces. Our vision is to create expandable, reconfigurable habitats that can grow with the mission needs.Giving the public a taste of the futureThe Aurelia team10 full-time staff and eight consultants and contractorshas already successfully tested seven hand-sized tiles in microgravity during short parabolic flights and longer stays on the ISS. Next year, it will send 32 tiles to the ISS to attempt a small-scale sphere assembly. Theyre also tackling their next big challengehow to seal and pressurize a structure that has numerous seams so it can rearrange. We dont want to permanently seal the seams because we want to be able to pop tiles on and off, she says. So, were doing a lot of engineering work to overcome the challenge of all of these different seals. We have lots of different latch designs or things to reinforce those seams.[Photo: NASA]For now, the tiles are made from a 3D-printed resin, fabricated at the Autodesk Technology Center in Boston as part of the Autodesk Research Residency Program. But full-scale 37-foot tiles will be primarily aluminum alloy.Down the road, they hope to continue testing on the next-generation space stations, such as those being developed by the global collective Starlab Space, the Blue Origin/Sierra Space venture Orbital Reef, and Axiom Spaces Axiom Station, whose first module is slated to launch in 2026 to attach to the ISS. Aurelia, now supported by $2 million annually in NASA grants, corporate sponsorships, and private donations, would need a partner to build a full-size operational TESSERAE in low-Earth orbit, which Ekblaw is eyeing for the next decade. [Photo: Aurelia Institute]To drum up interest, Aurelia has started giving the public a taste of this future with a traveling 20 x 24-foot mock-up with a modern interior that invites people to imagine a more hospitable life in space. After a soft unveiling in their coworking space last summer, the TESSERAE is now on view at the Seattle Museum of Flights Home Beyond Earth exhibit, with future displays planned for Boston and Europe next year.Crafted by Aurelia architectural designers with input from astronauts and cosmonauts, the open interiorenvisioned as a habitat commons areaoffers whimsical flourishes that exploit microgravity. They include knotted nets for residents to pull themselves across the dome, a sea anemoneinspired wall couch made of inflatable tubes that hold people in place, and a multichamber window for oxygen-producing algae. The kitchen section showcases an aeroponics green wall that grows fresh produce and a panel of ISS-tested cooking elementsa Zero-G sous-vide boiler and fermentation orbs with controllable thermal plates and gas exchange to guide the fermentation process for foods like sourdough, kimchi, and miso.[Photo: Jimmy Day]If this sounds something like 2001 meets Architectural Digest, keep in mind that Aurelias entre to space services comes through a creative fusion of architects, designers, and aerospace engineerswith a dash of philosophy.Bioinspired designAurelia evolved from Ekblaws PhD thesis at MIT Media Lab, spinning out from the MIT Space Exploration Initiative, a lab she founded to develop technologies that democratize access to and sustainability in space. During that time, she became fascinated with bioinspired design and self-assembly in naturefrom nucleic acids forming more complex proteins to ants building a bridgeand wondered if this could apply on a macro scale.[carousel_block id=carousel-1733938537164]She drew further philosophical and design inspiration from Buckminster Fuller, the late architect and futurist who improved the geodesic dome and popularized the concept of Spaceship Earth, which calls for people working together for a sustainable planet. She also looked to the experimental Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), an inflatable habitat launched in 2016 to attach to the ISS and used successfully for storage. Teaming with Sharma, then a space architecture research affiliate, and DeLatte, an aerospace engineering major, she cofounded Aurelia to apply these ideas toward a viable space habitat. Aureliaan old English word for chrysaliseventually incorporated in 2021, a year after Ekblaw earned her doctorate. The name underscoresthe fact that we, humanity, are at the cusp of our next metamorphosis into a spacefaring species, she says.[Photo: Jimmy Day]Some of their TESSERAE work has already led to ancillary research, such as prototype magnetic boots, which theyve tested on Zero-G microgravity simulation flights, that could be used in the habitat on a magnetic track for resistance. Their long-term vision is to develop structures that spin to create artificial gravity.Im trying to create an organization within the space industry that really values that interplay of art, science, design, and engineering, where the designers and engineers are on equal footing, says Ekblaw. As a nonprofit, we have a little bit more freedom and flexibility to be playful and explorative, and bring these different disciplines into aerospace, which has traditionally been a very engineering-focused field.

The space-time continuum has long fascinated people with even a mild interest in how the universe works. Even though I dont always understand it, I love watching movies that play around with this concept, like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Interstellar, Edge of Tomorrow, and other movies that explore time travel. It can also be applied to other things aside from pop culture or at least it can inspire designs for furniture, accessories, etc. Designer: Michael JantzenThe Space-Time Transformation Lamp is one such product inspired by this concept that illustrates the idea of an object moving through, well, space and time. The basic design is actually a modular kit that you can assemble yourself so you can change the size, shape, color, and even intensity of the lamp. Parts are made from laser cut painted birch plywood but you can also request for other materials if you want it to be customized.Each of the frames for the lamp are slightly rotated, multiplied 10 times and then glued together. Some of the frames are attached in different directions to the centre cube while the top frame is removable, providing access to the light bulb inside. The center is enclosed with translucent white plastic with the small light bulb in the middle. Because of the lamps structure, the concentration of the lamp is thrown out in different directions, therefore giving off the space-time continuum effect. Its more of an aesthetic kind of lighting since the light is scattered and not totally functional, but it is an interesting piece nonetheless. The post Aesthetic lamp plays around with space-time continuum concept first appeared on Yanko Design.

There is still some debate about the benefits of curved screens at home, whether they can really replicate the cinematic experience of movie houses or are just marketing hype. Theres also the promise of a more ergonomic display because of how they conform to the natural angle of our vision. Some people swear by curved screens, especially when it comes to more immersive content like movies and video games, but not everyone is a believer.With many brands seemingly falling head over heels with curves, there seem to be fewer choices for flat-screeners. Even worse, youre forced to make an upfront decision when making a purchase, without the option to change your mind later at no cost. If we already have phones that can fold in half, it shouldnt be a huge leap to have monitors that can change their shape on a whim, which is exactly what LG is bringing to gamers desks in glorious 5K2K resolution.Designer: LGThere are benefits and disadvantages to both curved and flat monitors, but peoples preferences can change every now and then. While movies and games might look great on a curved screen, regular applications and windows might look distorted. Content creation software that relies on accuracy and precision doesnt benefit from such technology either, but theres no way users can switch between the two modes unless they have different displays for different needs.The upcoming LG UltraGear OLED Bendable Gaming Monitor (model 45GX990A) promises the flexibility to adjust to your needs without wasting money on extra equipment you might use only occasionally. The 45-inch monitor can go from flat to a 900R curvature in just a few seconds, making it possible to seamlessly switch between use cases in a snap. LG also promotes the monitors ability to quickly switch between resolution and refresh rate presets in order to match your needs.To be clear, this is not the worlds first bendable monitor, but it is the first one to come with a very high 5K2K (5,120 x 2,160) resolution. The monitors 21:9 ultra-wide aspect ratio is also a boon to gamers who usually need more screen real estate at the sides than a taller canvas. That said, the monitor does feature a Dual-Mode function that lets you switch between 21:9 and 16:9 aspect ratios as well as different picture sizes for compatibility with different types of content.LG is also announcing two other curved monitors that dont change their shape for those ready to go all in on that kind of display. The 45-inch UltraGear 45GX950A boasts a more pronounced 800R curvature while the 39-inch UltraGear 39GX90SA offers a slightly more compact size, both with wide 21:9 aspect ratios. All three monitors come with LGs WOLED (White OLED with color filters) technology for even better color reproduction that both gamers and creators demand. Availability of these new curved LG monitors has yet to be announced, but they will be showcased at CES 2025 next year.The post LG bendable gaming monitor tries to appeal to every taste first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Save up to $300 on Apple's MacBook Air as retailers launch New Year's sales early to compete for your year-end shopping dollars.Snag New Year's deals on Apple's MacBook Air this week.Both Amazon and Best Buy are competing for your business through a MacBook Air price war that has deals as low as $749 this Monday. Many closeout models are limited to stock on hand and could sell out at any time. Apple's latest M3 models with 16GB of unified memory are also marked down to as low as $899, making it a great time to pick up a new laptop at a discount. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

On this final 2024 episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, your host breaks down the new Apple video doorbell rumors as well as revisits the highlights from the last year.HomeKit Insider PodcastThough it came out a week ago, we're just now getting to talk about the big new Apple rumors for the smart home. Apparently, a video doorbell is in the works, alongside the smart display and security camera.It's said to support advanced facial recognition that will unlock your door automatically as you approach, similar to Face ID. But on your door, rather than your phone. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A new leak backs up previous rumors and previous wishful thinking that the regular iPhone 17 will finally gain a ProMotion display, making it feel faster and more responsive.Render of a possible iPhone 17 designApple introduced ProMotion with the iPad Pro in 2017, dramatically improving how the screen kept up with Apple Pencil use. ProMotion can raise the display refresh rate to 120Hz where needed, and drop it to save battery power when showing static images.According to leaker Digital Chat Station on Chinese social media site Weibo, the feature will come to the regular iPhone 17 and expected iPhone 17 Slim in 2025. That's eight years since it debuted on the iPad Pro, and four since it first appeared on the iPhone with the iPhone 13 Pro. Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.In the Caribbean, architecture has long served as a reflection of its diverse cultures, vibrant landscapes and the enduring interplay between tradition and modernity. From the breezy verandas of colonial-era homes to the geometric forms of mid-twentieth-century tropical modernism, the regions built environment has always responded to its unique climate and cultural context. Today, as the world grapples with climate change, urbanization and the need for more inclusive design practices, the Caribbean is emerging as a hub of architectural innovation.Architects across the region are blending sustainable strategies, cultural traditions and new technology to create spaces that honor the past while meeting the challenges of the future. The evolution of Caribbean modernism in the 21st century is marked by an intentional return to locally sourced materials, passive cooling techniques and designs that harmonize with the natural environment. Yet, this architectural movement isnt solely about functionality; its also about storytelling. Designers are weaving regional histories and identities into their projects, from reimagined public spaces that celebrate communal life to contemporary residential designs that reinterpret vernacular traditions. The following projects from across the Caribbean showcase how architects are offering a vision of modernism that is rooted in place.Caribbean Courtyard VillaBy Studio Saxe, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa RicaStudio Saxes project on the Caribbean coast of Puerto Viejo, Limon, weaves a modular network of pergolas and pavilions into the lush jungle, creating a harmonious connection between architecture and nature. Designed for the tropical climate, the pavilions are positioned among existing trees and step gently down the mountain, utilizing passive cooling, solar energy and water-efficient systems to ensure sustainability. The triangular pergolas link private and social spaces, allowing seamless circulation while blending with the surrounding vegetation, setting a new standard for bioclimatic design in Costa Rica.Liseo Bonaire, School Community BonaireBy atelier PRO architekten, Bonaire, Caribbean NetherlandsThe Liseo Boneriano high school on the Caribbean island of Bonaire has been expanded by atelier PRO architects and Jacobs Architects to address a growing student population. The new design creates a cohesive ensemble with outdoor spaces that encourage relaxed interaction between students and teachers. Designed for the local climate, the outdoor areas serve as a public domain, providing shaded, open-air spaces ideal for the islands tropical environment while enhancing the educational experience.Sail HouseBy David Hertz Architects, Studio of Environmental Architecture, Grenadines, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJury Winner, Private House (XL>6,000 sq ft), 10th Annual A+AwardsPerched on a ridgeline in Bequia, the Sail House is a stunning retreat that blends seamlessly with its tropical jungle surroundings. Comprising a primary residence, caretakers home and guesthouses, the design draws inspiration from the sailing culture of the Grenadines, with nautically inspired tensile roofs that provide deep shade, collect rainwater and enhance cross-ventilation for natural cooling.Prefabricated and assembled on-site, the projects aluminum structure and reclaimed ironwood finishes are both sustainable and resilient to the Caribbean climate. Entirely self-sufficient, the house generates its own electricity, collects 100% of its water and offers a harmonious indoor-outdoor living experience.Serena Del Mar HospitalBy Safdie Architects, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolvar, ColombiaThe Centro Hospitalario Serena del Mar in Cartagena is an advanced teaching hospital designed as a garden hospital, prioritizing access to nature and daylight to enhance well-being and clinical outcomes. Inpatient wings feature shallow floor plates to maximize daylight and views, while bamboo courtyards provide privacy and soothing light, enriching the experience for visitors and patients.Designed for the local climate, the hospital incorporates projecting roofs that attract breezes and offer protection from sun and rain, encouraging seamless movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Motorized sliding shutters and recessed lighting further contribute to a calm, patient-centered environment.House in the CaribbeanBy Jamie Fobert Architects, CaribbeanDesigned in collaboration with landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, this private family home is a serene retreat that harmonizes with its lush, tropical surroundings. The house features a crisp, square-set form clad in travertine marble, set amid a jungle-like garden with a lagoon-inspired pool. Designed for the local climate, the living room opens seamlessly onto an expansive terrace, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Inside, the home balances scale and simplicity, with concrete walls and floors accented by warm walnut and textured details.Villa AntioquiaBy DL+A Arquitectos, Punta Cana, Dominican RepublicVilla Antioquia, located in Punta Espada, Cap Cana, is a contemporary Caribbean summer home designed to harmonize with its stunning natural surroundings. The villa integrates open social spaces, private balconies, and lush green areas, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.Designed with the local climate in mind, it maximizes natural light and ventilation through skylights, large openings, and sliding glass doors, while its sloped roofs and shaded terraces offer protection from the tropical sun. The carved stone cladding and sculptural half-helix staircase enhance the villas architectural character, blending elegance with functionality for family enjoyment amidst the Caribbean landscape.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Caribbean Modernism: Tropical Design Evolves for the 21st Century appeared first on Journal.

For all their ability to give the experience of enticing stories, engaging gameplay, and immersive world design, video games can also use these factors to shock us. Some of the darkest moments in any form of media are represented in video games, with their interactivity oftentimes making the anguish-able experience much more tangible than if the same thing happened in a movie or TV show. Your opinion on what constitutes dark may differ, of course, but the 15 moments discussed in this rundown are inarguably disturbing: upsetting at one end of the spectrum, downright harrowing at the other. Also, its worth pointing out that therere spoilers for the games featured.The Bloody Baron The Witcher 3: Wild HuntArguably the most morally bankrupt NPC Geralt encounters in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Bloody Barons history as an abuser to wife Anna and daughter Tamara is revealed during Geralts attempts to locate The Barons estranged family in exchange for information on his own daughters whereabouts. Neither of The Barons conclusions are favourable for him (or, indeed, his wife Anna); should both The Baron and Anna survive, Anna will have succumbed to madness whilst a band of witches abscond with the orphans of whom she was residing. Should Anna die, the Baron will tragically hang himself due to a lifetime of grief and guilt.