gesture

12 Stories

Tiny Bird Is First Non-Primate to Make Symbolic Gesture

Japanese tits seem to say 'after you' to partners

(Newser) - We humans think we know a lot. But when it comes to how animals communicate, we have a lot to learn, according to new research boasting the first known case of symbolic gesture in a non-primate. Many animals display body parts and some, including birds like magpies and ravens, make...

NBA Star Makes 'Money' Sign at Ref, Must Pay Big Time

Rudy Gobert of the Timberwolves fined $100K after his gesture

(Newser) - The NBA fined Minnesota center Rudy Gobert $100,000 on Sunday, reports the AP , two days after he implied that referee Scott Foster wasn't calling games fairly and further suggested that gambling is having a detrimental impact on the outcome of games. The fine is the maximum that the...

Nebraska's Mascot Loses Hand Gesture Used Since 1974

In recent years, the 'ok' sign has been read by some as a white power reference

(Newser) - The hand gesture that the University of Nebraska's mascot has been making since 1974 has been changed after that gesture took on new meaning about five years ago. For decades the Herbie Husker mascot formed an "OK" hand gesture by placing his thumb and forefinger together to form...

Cubs Investigating 'Repulsive' Gesture Fan Flashed on Air

Fan appeared to make white power sign behind black commentator Doug Glanville

(Newser) - A Chicago Cubs fan at the game Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins could be banned from Wrigley Field for life if the home team ever catches up to him. While fans are often caught on camera at MLB games waving and making various gestures, one in particular has raised...

Gene Simmons Claims This Widely Used Hand Sign Is His

He's filed a trademark request

(Newser) - The "rock on" hand gesture is sported by everyone from teen girls to Spider-Man—but Gene Simmons claims it's all his. The KISS frontman filed an application with the US Patent and Trademark Office on Friday in an effort to trademark the sign, per the Hollywood Reporter . While...

Elephants Understand Us When We Point
 Elephants 
 Understand Us 
 When We Point 
study says
Oct 11, 2013 5:08 AM CDT

Elephants Understand Us When We Point

And they don't even have to be taught

(Newser) - Researchers have found that when a human points, elephants understand her—without requiring any training. "It seems that understanding pointing is an ability elephants just possess naturally, and they are cognitively much more like us than has been realized," says a researcher. She tested their ability by putting...

Chimps Shake Heads 'No'
 Chimps Shake Heads 'No' 
LIKE HUMANS...
May 6, 2010 1:07 PM CDT

Chimps Shake Heads 'No'

Scientists spot decidedly familiar gesture

(Newser) - Saying “no” by shaking our heads back and forth may just be a habit we inherited from our evolutionary precursors. Researchers have filmed Bonobo chimps at the Leipzig Zoo shaking their heads in much the same way, the BBC reports. In one film, for example, a mother shakes her...

New Tech Ditches the Remote Control
 New Tech Ditches 
 the Remote Control 
channel surf with your hand
Jan 12, 2010 8:30 AM CST

New Tech Ditches the Remote Control

Consumer Electronics Show previews Project Natal, Hitachi TVs

(Newser) - Losing your remote control will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to new technology that embraces motion control, making it possible to channel surf with your hands. Hitachi televisions, for example, will allow you to change the channel by twisting your wrist, the New York Times reports. Microsoft’...

What Not To Do in Foreign Lands

Tabloid offers how-to guide for provoking international incidents

(Newser) - Taking its cue from the infamous shoe-toss of an Iraqi journalist—a sign of high contempt in his culture—the Daily Mirror presents a how-to guide for provoking international incidents:
  • Buddhist countries: Nothing raises eyebrows or ire more than a pat on the head, as that's where locals believe the
...

Body Language Bares Rivals' Key Differences

McCain expresses stability, while Obama communicates change

(Newser) - The presidential hopefuls are saying a lot more than just words, reports LiveScience. Body language experts analyzing John McCain and Barack Obama's movements have discovered major differences in the kind of leaders they are likely to be. McCain's firm stance and tendency to grip the podium send out a message...

Billboards Reach Out and Almost Touch Someone

New billboards watch, interact with passers-by

(Newser) - Imagine a world where billboards watch you, react to your movements and invite you to interact with them. That world is pretty much here, reports MIT Technology Review. State-of-the-art motion-capture cameras in new Samsung billboards should provide all the interactivity of a touch screen—without any of the touching. The...

A Primer on the Fist Bump
 A Primer on the Fist Bump 
Jun 6, 2008 10:58 AM CDT

A Primer on the Fist Bump

Time looks at the history and meaning of Barack and Michelle's victory gesture

(Newser) - The now-famous fist bump shared by Barack and Michelle Obama on the night he claimed the Democratic nomination led Time on a search for the origins and cosmic relevance of the gesture. It proved tricky: For instance, some say the bump—a rough evolution goes handshake, "gimme five" palm...

12 Stories