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For decades, sweeping claims have been made about Australia’s introduced predators – foxes and cats. The scientific consensus says they’ve been driving the extinction of dozens of native Australian mammals.
Now, new research shows the evidence for these claims isn’t nearly as strong as you’d think. That’s not to say foxes and feral cats haven’t contributed to the loss of some species in some locations.
But when researchers catalogued mammal species thought to have declined due to foxes and cats, a thorough search of primary sources revealed a more nuanced picture – and a lack of evidence for most claims that a certain species was killed off by these introduced predators. The question, then, remains: what did cause Australia’s mammal extinctions?
P.S. On a lighter note this week: what nutritionists have to say about my favourite salad trend.
Until next week,
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Signe Dean
Science + Technology Editor
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Arian Wallach, Queensland University of Technology; Erick Lundgren, University of Alberta
Dozens of Australian mammal species have declined and gone extinct since European colonisation – and introduced predators are often blamed. But evidence is lacking.
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Cornelia Sattler, Macquarie University; Théotime Colin, Macquarie University
Varroa mites and small hive beetles are threatening Australian honey producers. Here’s how backyard beekeepers, and everyday honey lovers, can help.
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Isabelle Ng, James Cook University; Alexandre Siqueira, Edith Cowan University
Ever since Charles Darwin, scientists have assumed species facing the same problem often evolve similar traits. But that’s not always the case.
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Jazmine Skinner, University of Southern Queensland
Cats make many of us sneeze – but don’t think a hairless cat will solve the problem.
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Lauren Ball, The University of Queensland; Pui Ting Wong (Pearl), The University of Queensland
What’s actually happening in your body when you eat an entire cucumber? Two dietitians explain.
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Our most-read science articles this week
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Zena Assaad, Australian National University
The Turing test has been popularised as the ultimate indicator of machine intelligence. But the truth is more complicated.
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Ritesh Chugh, CQUniversity Australia
But there are some simple steps you can take to keep your personal information safe.
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Ben Singh, University of South Australia; Ashleigh E. Smith, University of South Australia
Moving your body can have a big impact on your brain – and it doesn’t have to be a workout at the gym.
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Bill Bateman, Curtin University; Lauren Gilson, Curtin University
We don’t want to admit it, but our beloved pet dogs do a lot of environmental damage, from killing or terrifying wildlife to emissions from pet food.
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More of this week's coverage
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Nikki-Anne Wilson, UNSW Sydney
The theory that an increased use of phones and computers has weakened our overall cognitive ability has been around since 2012. But is it true?
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Deborah Gleeson, La Trobe University
The major parties say they won’t use the PBS as a bargaining chip in US tariff negotiations. They also need to resist pressure to slow down access to generic drugs.
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Evangeline Mantzioris, University of South Australia
Recent research suggested cutting back on dairy, gluten, caffeine and alcohol could improve endometriosis pain. But here’s what to consider before making big changes.
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Brett Mitchell, University of Newcastle; Allen Cheng, Monash University
A new study has found improving cleaning practices in hospital could make a big difference. Here’s what the researchers did.
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Maria Atienzar-Prieto, Griffith University; Silke Meyer, Griffith University
Location-sharing apps provide convenience and a sense of security for families. But they can also be used as a weapon of control.
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T.J. Thomson, RMIT University
Editing any photo, anywhere, is cheaper and easier than ever. What does that mean for having ‘visual proof’ of something?
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Dylan Irvine, Charles Darwin University
Technically, you’d think so. But some things are just too small to measure.
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