Hand gestures and body language are important communication tools for humans, particularly when it comes to politeness — for example, we may signal “after you” with an open hand to let someone ahead of us. Now, it appears that a songbird called the Japanese tit takes a similar approach. According to a recently published study, this species could be added to the short list of animals who use gestures to communicate (humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, ravens, and some fish). Check out a clip of the Japanese tit signaling “after you” to its mate.

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Science

Dogs “See” Objects in Their Minds Just Like Humans, Study Says

In more animal communication news: It’s common knowledge that dogs can recognize certain terms — that’s clear enough to anyone who’s said “treat” in earshot of a pup. What hasn’t been clear is what exactly occurs in the canine mind to elicit responses to human language. That is, are they simply reacting to words via learned behavior or do they truly understand the meaning?

In a recent study, scientists set out to answer those questions, focusing on whether the animals’ cognition is similar to ours. “We were interested in whether dogs understand words the way humans do,” co-lead author Lilla Magyari explained to Popular Science.

Magyari and her team hypothesized that dogs envision objects in their mind’s eye just like we do, through a process called mental representation. To confirm this, they used non-invasive EEG testing to track dogs’ electrical impulses as they interacted with their owners and toys they knew by name.

The team found that the dogs’ brain response patterns mimicked those of ones widely regarded as being indicative of mental representation in humans. Watch a video featuring a few of the adorable dog participants to learn more.

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Culture

Archaeologists Find Evidence That Mythical Amazon Warrior Women Really Existed

DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini via Getty Images

Archaeologists have discovered evidence that some Greek myths might be more than just stories. Per The Observer, researchers excavated graves in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan, and found “battle-scarred female archers” buried with weapons, including arrowheads, a dagger, and a mace.

This information, combined with previous findings, suggests that the women may have been Amazons who lived 4,000 years ago. For those not versed in Greek mythology, the Amazons were a group of skilled female warriors and hunters who often came head-to-head with the Greeks, according to epic poems like the Iliad and Argonautica.

But as historian Bettany Hughes told The Observer, they were likely real people who lived beyond literature. “It shows that there’s truth behind the myths and legends of ancient Greece,” she said of the archaeological findings. She explores the discovery further in a new documentary series, Bettany Hughes’ Treasures of the World, which premieres on the U.K.’s Channel 4 next week.

Health

Inhaler Manufacturers Cap Prices at $35 Per Month

Inhalers are a true lifesaver for the millions of people living with asthma and other lung diseases. And three of the largest producers of the medical devices are now making them more accessible by capping out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month.

For comparison, the companies — AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and GlaxoSmithKline — are currently charging U.S. patients between $200 and $600 for inhalers, which often need to be purchased monthly, The Hill reports.

As for the timeline, AstraZeneca and Boehringer Ingelheim said their caps will go into effect June 1. GSK’s price change, meanwhile, will take place by Jan. 1, 2025. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America celebrated the news in a press release, with President and CEO Kenneth Mendez urging other manufacturers “to take similar steps to make medications more affordable and accessible.”

Learn which inhalers will be affected by the price caps.

In Other News

A record-breaking investment from the Department of Energy could curb carbon emissions from various manufacturers, including those making steel, cement, and macaroni and cheese.
Archaeologists discovered what appears to be a 1,000-year-old ice skate in the Czech Republic, but the blade is made of bone rather than metal.
Three stars of Avatar: The Way of Water, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet, posed for some stunning new photos to raise money for ocean conservation.
Following much anthropological debate, scientists say they’ve figured out where Homo sapiens went after leaving Africa 60,000-70,000 years ago.
Friendly orcas made a memorable impression on some paddleboarders in New Zealand. See the video.

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Inspiring Story

Shoot for your dreams

Some might say playing for the NBA is a dream job, but Brooklyn Nets small forward Mikal Bridges recently got to achieve a different goal: being a teacher. The athlete worked as a substitute for the day at a school in Brooklyn. And it wasn’t just a one-off — he says he’s considering a career in education once he’s done with basketball.

Photo of the Day

Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

Millions of Indians celebrated Holi, the Hindu festival of colors, on Monday. See more photos from the vibrant celebrations and learn what the holiday is all about.