Science

• Scientists link gene to emergence of spoken language

  A new study links a particular gene to the origins of spoken language, proposing that a protein variant found only in humans may have helped us develop speech.

• Newly discovered asteroid turns out to be Tesla Roadster launched into space

  Astronomers mistook a Tesla Roadster that was launched into orbit in 2018 for an asteroid earlier this month. The registry of what was thought to be an asteroid was soon deleted.

• Orbiter photos show lunar modules from first 2 moon landings more than 50 years later

  Photos taken by the India Space Research Organization moon orbiter Chandrayaan 2 recently show aerial images of Apollo 11 and Apollo 12's lunar landing vehicles.

• NASA finalizes strategy for human presence in space

  NASA finalized its strategy for sustaining a human presence in space this week, looking ahead toward the planned de-orbiting of the International Space Station in 2030.

• Complete mastodon jaw found in New York homeowner's backyard: 'Remarkable discovery'

  A complete mastodon jaw found by a New York homeowner will undergo "extensive scientific analysis" before being put on display to the public.