In the weeks since the Alabama Supreme Court held that embryos are “unborn children” under one state law, most attention has been focused on in vitro fertilization – whether the decision imperils parents’ attempts to create a family. On March 6, 2024, Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation to shield IVF providers from legal liability, though…

The post What is a frozen embryo worth? Alabama’s IVF case reflects bigger questions over grieving and wrongful death laws appeared first on Study Finds.

Analysis of underground hacking communities has uncovered a variety of instances of criminals using ChatGPT, including for fraud and creating software to steal information.

The post Cybercriminals Now Creating Charming Chatbots To Scam, Hack People appeared first on Study Finds.

There is an urgent need for education to adopt a more serious, aggressive and strategic approach in equipping youth to combat deepfakes.

The post Deepfake education must be added to school curricula as world faces ‘profound societal threat’ appeared first on Study Finds.

Kochava, the self-proclaimed industry leader in mobile app data analytics, is locked in a legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission in a case that could lead to big changes in the global data marketplace and in Congress’ approach to artificial intelligence and data privacy. The stakes are high because Kochava’s secretive data acquisition and…

The post Data brokers know everything about you: What FTC case against ad tech giant Kochava reveals appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW YORK — A concerning new study is giving the harsh phrase, “I hate your face” new meaning. Jurors are more inclined to recommend the death penalty when they dislike the defendant’s appearance. Prior studies have shown that certain facial features, like downturned lips and a heavy brow, can make someone seem untrustworthy. These features, though…

The post Jurors more likely to recommend death penalty if they don’t like defendant’s looks appeared first on Study Finds.

LEICESTER, United Kingdom — There’s no more purr-fect getaway for criminals — all thanks to cats! Researchers from the University of Leicester explain that cat hair can serve as a key tool in solving crimes. According to their findings, a single strand of cat hair can contain DNA that may connect a suspect to a…

The post Forensic felines: How a single cat hair can help detectives solve crimes appeared first on Study Finds.

WASHINGTON — America’s biggest and most famous cities have a safety problem. From crime to financial problems and the threat of natural disasters, a new poll finds many of the nation’s most populated metropolitan areas rank at the bottom of the list when it comes to public safety. Researchers from WalletHub compared 182 cities, including the…

The post Safest Cities in America: Washington, Los Angeles, St. Louis fall to bottom of 2023 list appeared first on Study Finds.

If you’ve ever been scammed, perhaps you resolved to never allow someone to take you for a fool again. But research shows not everyone reacts this way and in fact some fraud victims go into denial. This might help explain why the founder of the disastrous 2017 Fyre Festival (a fraudulent luxury music festival), William…

The post Fyre Festival II: Psychologist explains why some people fall for fraudsters over and over again appeared first on Study Finds.

ADELAIDE, Australia — When it comes to pups and police, most people immediately think of drug or bomb-sniffing dogs at airports and other high-security locations. Now, researchers from Flinders University say there’s an unexpected new way dogs may be able to help fight crime — providing crucial DNA evidence in police investigations! The new research, conducted…

The post Pet ‘furensics’: DNA evidence passing from people to dogs can help solve crimes appeared first on Study Finds.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Using bitemark evidence during criminal trials could be sending the wrong people to prison — or worse. A new study finds that this type of evidence seriously flawed and has contributed to wrongful convictions and death sentences in the United States. This prevalent form of analysis presented during trials is not supported…

The post ‘Flawed’ bitemark evidence in court could lead to wrongful convictions, even death sentences appeared first on Study Finds.

Lawyer Thomas A. Durkin has spent much of his career working in national security law, representing clients in a variety of national security and domestic terrorism matters. Joseph Ferguson was a national security prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where Durkin was also a prosecutor. Both teach national security…

The post ‘If you want to die in jail, keep talking’: National security law experts offer Trump advice after indictment appeared first on Study Finds.

Federal prosecutors on June 9, 2023, unsealed the indictment that spells out the government’s case against former President Donald J. Trump, who is accused of violating national security laws and obstructing justice. The 49-page document details how Trump kept classified government documents – including papers concerning U.S. nuclear capabilities – scattered in boxes across his…

The post Law prof: Here’s why Trump would likely face little to no jail time even if convicted on all charges appeared first on Study Finds.

Former President Donald Trump’s indictment by a federal grand jury in Miami includes at least one charge under the Espionage Act of 1917, according to Trump’s attorney and reports in The New York Times. The Espionage Act has historically been employed most often by law-and-order conservatives. But the biggest uptick in its use occurred during…

The post What is the Espionage Act? Here’s why Donald Trump is being charged under this century-old law appeared first on Study Finds.

BLACKSBURG, Va. — The first 45 words police use during a traffic stop can often determine if the situation with the driver will escalate, a new study explains. Researchers from Virginia Tech say these first few seconds — particularly when police officers pull over Black drivers — are key in deciding if a normally routine stop turns…

The post Police officer’s first 45 words during traffic stops can predict if they’ll turn violent appeared first on Study Finds.

AMES, Iowa — It’s no secret that police officers, detectives, and other first responders often don’t get enough sleep. Crime can happen at any time of day. Between that and late-night shifts, it can throw off both sleep cycles and work quality. Now, researchers from Iowa State University (ISU) find that tired officers have a…

The post Sleep-deprived police officers have the same alertness level as a drunk person appeared first on Study Finds.

SAN FRANCISCO — A smartphone app that can tell a defendant what to say in court using artificial intelligence has been used for the first time — and it’s a lot cheaper than a real lawyer. California-based company DoNotPay says this is the first time AI has been used during a trial anywhere in the…

The post Smartphone app using AI acts like a robot lawyer — tells defendants what to say in court appeared first on Study Finds.

By Ausma Bernot, Griffith University A group of researchers studied 15 months of human mobility movement data taken from 1.5 million people and concluded that just four points in space and time were sufficient to identify 95% of them, even when the data weren’t of excellent quality. That was back in 2013. Nearly ten years…

The post Not Big Brother, but close: Surveillance expert explains ways we’re all being watched — all the time appeared first on Study Finds.

By Christian Jordan Howell, University of South Florida and David Maimon, Georgia State University It is common to hear news reports about large data breaches, but what happens once your personal data is stolen? Our research shows that, like most legal commodities, stolen data products flow through a supply chain consisting of producers, wholesalers and…

The post Darknet markets generate millions in revenue selling stolen personal data, supply chain study finds appeared first on Study Finds.

By Jillian Peterson, Hamline University and James Densley, Metropolitan State University A gun rampage at a Walmart in Virginia is the latest amid a rise in mass shootings in general in the U.S., and mass shootings at grocery and retail stores in particular. Multiple people including the gunman were killed in the incident on Nov.…

The post Walmart shooting in Virginia follows upward trend in gun attacks at supermarkets, retail stores appeared first on Study Finds.

‘It’s important to note that VNR is distinctly different from a chokehold.’ WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Several cities have banned their local police departments from using any kind of neck restraints in the wake of multiple high-profile deaths in recent years. While the use of a chokehold can impair a suspect’s ability to breathe, a new…

The post It’s not a chokehold: Study argues police should be able to use ‘safe and effective’ vascular neck restraints appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Police in the United States shoot and kill people at higher rates than almost any other country. They also do this while dealing with the most diverse, distressed, and armed population in the world, a new report reveals. Rutgers University researchers say fatal police shootings in the U.S. are five times…

The post Fatal police shootings in U.S. more common than other developed nations — is lack of training to blame? appeared first on Study Finds.

By: Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University, via The Conversation Bank robbery is a high-profile crime that fascinates many people. Movies have been made about famous bank robbers like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger and Butch Cassidy. There is even a new movie that just came out about Gilbert Galvan, Canada’s most prolific bank robber who robbed 59 banks…

The post Bandits are losing interest in robbing banks, as some crimes no longer pay appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — New research from Yale University reports a possible connection between incarceration and cancer. Researchers from the Yale Cancer Center report an observed higher risk of dying from cancer among adults in prison. Moreover, inmates diagnosed with cancer are more likely to pass away within a year of being released from prison. “Cancer…

The post Automatic life sentence? Inmates more likely to die from cancer, study shows appeared first on Study Finds.

TSUKUBA, Japan — For over 11 years, commercial drivers in Japan (taxi, bus, and truck drivers) have had to take a mandatory alcohol breath test at the start and end of each driving shift. The policy is intended to stop drunk driving, but is it effective? According to a new study from the University of Tsukuba…

The post Mandatory breath tests doing little to curb drunk driving in Japan appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — No one likes getting a speeding ticket in the mail, but a new study finds people are more accepting of traffic cameras in their neighborhood if it means they don’t have to interact with the police. More importantly, researchers from Rutgers University say traffic safety cameras seem to be more acceptable…

The post Traffic cameras become more popular when they cut down on interactions with police appeared first on Study Finds.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – There are currently two million people sitting in prisons and jails across America — making the United States the world leader when it comes to incarceration. Despite that, a new study reveals that putting more people in prison isn’t helping to make Americans feel any safer in their communities. Researchers from…

The post Americans don’t feel safer despite nation’s high incarceration rate appeared first on Study Finds.

SAN FRANCISCO — With the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade now official, a team from UC San Francisco and UCLA says that the nation’s doctors in abortion training will also feel the brunt of this shocking change. Published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology on April 28 ahead of the decision, researchers report…

The post Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade ruling will likely ‘decimate’ abortion medical training appeared first on Study Finds.

GALVESTON, Texas — The frequency of violent incidents involving guns in the United States in recent years has shed light on an incredibly troubling trend. After a shooting occurs, the political floodgates open and while some call for tougher gun reform laws, others point to mental illness as a rational explanation as to why someone would…

The post Study: Primary factor in gun violence is accessibility, not mental illness appeared first on Study Finds.

SAN DIEGO — The border wall between the U.S. and Mexico in Southern San Diego has seen a staggering five-time increase in the amount of serious injuries, according to new report. What’s behind this undeniable surge? Researchers at the University of California, San Diego attribute their findings to recent height extensions. Between 2016 and 2019, UC…

The post U.S. border wall injuries up exponentially since 2019: ‘Unseen public health crisis’ appeared first on Study Finds.

TEL AVIV — Antisemitic incidents across the globe skyrocketed in the past year, according to a new report. Antisemitism was particuraly high in first-world countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. The dramatic increases may have stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic and the May 2021 conflict between Israel and Hamas. Researchers…

The post Antisemitic incidents rose dramatically in 2021, alarming new report shows appeared first on Study Finds.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Plenty of little children want to grow up to be Batman or Spider-man. According to researchers from the University of Illinois, however, there are plenty of adults out there who have incorporated vigilantism into their personalities and daily decisions as well. When we talk about vigilantism in this context, we’re not actually referencing…

The post Bruce Wayne Syndrome: Certain people embrace ‘vigilantism’ as their personal identity appeared first on Study Finds.

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Every driver has likely felt the occasional tension while making a left-hand turn. Whether it’s being stuck behind cars that miss an opportunity to go or feeling anxious about when to make the turn yourself, the left turn lane can be a daunting part of a drive. Well, it turns out…

The post Limiting left-hand turns relieves traffic woes, reduces accidents appeared first on Study Finds.

MONTREAL, Quebec — Child marriage is still legal in many states across the U.S., but a new study reveals that these laws blur the lines between sex with a spouse and the crime of statutory rape. Researchers from McGill University found that the inconsistent enforcement of laws regulating marriage and sex is creating a dangerous environment…

The post Child marriage rules in many U.S. states violate rape laws, study reveals appeared first on Study Finds.

BATH, England — Here’s a frightening privacy warning courtesy of a British study: Simply picking up your smartphone and using apps can reveal your identity to outsiders. Scientists say that people can be identified based on the amount of time they spend on different apps. More than one in three people can be picked out…

The post Privacy warning: Simply picking up your smartphone, using apps can reveal your identity appeared first on Study Finds.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — There is perhaps no subject more controversial in the United States than gun control. President Biden recently called for stricter federal bans on assault weapons, but new research indicates such a change would have a minimal immediate effect. Why? Researchers find most gun buyers and sellers wouldn’t bother to comply with…

The post Harsher federal gun laws won’t curb sales of assault weapons in the U.S., study says appeared first on Study Finds.

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The public’s relationship with the nation’s police isn’t always a smooth one. Claims of excessive force are not all that uncommon. Now, new research from a team at the University of Cincinnati reports for the first time ever that de-escalation training classes for police departments can indeed help foster a healthier relationship…

The post Police de-escalation training can make streets safer for officers and civilians, study says appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW YORK — Most Americans believe civil rights have taken a giant step back in the last five years. A OnePoll survey conducted on Jan. 26 of 2,000 adults – 1,000 white and 1,000 non-white Americans – asked them how they commemorate Black History Month. People shared that they observe the month by gathering with their…

The post Black History Month: 2 in 3 Americans say civil rights have significantly regressed appeared first on Study Finds.

MIAMI — More people are being sexually blackmailed online during the pandemic, a new study warns. Researchers add that men are the number one targets of these crimes — threatening to publish explicit images or videos of the victim, a cybercrime called sextortion. Other groups, including young people, black women, and members of the LGBTQ…

The post Online ‘sextortion’ rising during pandemic: Men twice as likely to receive blackmail threats appeared first on Study Finds.

WASHINGTON — While Congress has yet to pass nationwide gun control legislation measures, some state legislatures have enacted stricter gun control laws aimed at reducing violence in their communities. However, a recent study finds gun laws in at least one state aren’t doing that job. A team at American University analyzed the impact of one such…

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NEW YORK — Face masks are not only uncomfortable for many people, but some also argue that they interfere with our ability to communicate with others. When it comes to the legal system however, a new study finds face masks may actually be helping people spot lies in court. An international team says when witnesses wear…

The post Face masks actually help jurors figure out who’s lying in court appeared first on Study Finds.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Police brutality is an all-too familiar subject for Americans, with many dying at the hands of law enforcement — including the tragically well-known names of Michael Brown, George Floyd, and Tamir Rice. However, research shows that many survivors who endured violent police treatment struggle with long-lasting consequences such as depression, drugs, and…

The post Police brutality leaves a long-lasting detrimental effect on victims appeared first on Study Finds.

CAMBRIDGE, England — Young violent offenders have empathy levels 15 percent lower than less severe offenders and normal kids, a recent study reveals. Researchers suggest that if children were provided courses on cultivating empathy in school, crime rates among youth could decrease. Other research has also shown higher empathy is linked to lower levels of…

The post Teaching empathy in school could lead to lower crime rates among teens appeared first on Study Finds.

PRINCETON, N.J. — Sex workers and strip clubs may cause a “significant” drop in sex crimes, according to a new study. Researchers say they have shown that opening adult entertainment venues like strip clubs, escort services, adult book shops, and adult cinemas caused a decrease in the number of sexual offenses committed nearby. The researchers…

The post Escort services, strip clubs actually help reduce sex crimes, study shows appeared first on Study Finds.

BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom — Adding an interactive 3D element to police lineups can help eyewitnesses more accurately identify perpetrators, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Birmingham created the software behind these findings themselves, and then tested it out with a group of volunteers. This potentially game-changing new technology allows eyewitnesses to…

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NEW YORK — If you’re looking to impress a potential partner, you might want to reconsider your driving habits. While stereotypes imply that having a high-end vehicle makes you more impressive in the dating scene, another factor might actually be worth greater consideration. More than half of American drivers (56%) would not date someone who…

The post Safety is sexy! Most Americans say they won’t ride with (or date) unsafe drivers appeared first on Study Finds.

NEW YORK — As more states across America consider legalizing recreational marijuana, much of the debate focuses on how many people use the illegal drug and how much governments can tax its legal sale. Now, a new study is revealing a much different consequence of cannabis legalization — the impact on the illegal drug market. Researchers…

The post Legalizing cannabis leads to skyrocketing prices and potency of other illegal drugs appeared first on Study Finds.

Researchers blame media for inaccurate annual reports claiming sex trafficking a major problem for cities hosting the Super Bowl. AUSTIN, Texas — Media outlets have reported for quite some time that major sporting events, more specifically the Super Bowl, result in a surge of sex trafficking activity. With this urban legend of sorts in mind, researchers…

The post Study debunks myth that sex trafficking surges during the Super Bowl appeared first on Study Finds.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — For decades, the playbook for dealing with problem children mostly focused on punishment and discipline. Now, a new study finds providing diversion for kids with behavioral issues may be the best way to foster positive changes. Researchers at Case Western Reserve University report that Ohio’s state juvenile diversion treatment program has been…

The post For kids with behavioral issues, diversion treatment more effective than discipline appeared first on Study Finds.

OXFORD, United Kingdom — The war on drugs, declared by President Nixon in the 1970’s, was launched to eradicate the use of illegal drugs in the United States. Roughly five decades later however, it’s hard to call the initiative a total success. Although incarceration rates for drug crimes have skyrocketed, drug use remains a constant…

The post End the war on drugs? Study urges release of all non-violent criminals jailed on minor drug charges appeared first on Study Finds.

CHICAGO, Ill. — While the holiday season may be in the rearview mirror now, many consumers are likely still dealing with the problem of stolen packages. A recent survey finds nearly half of America had a package stolen in 2020. Researchers say the problem is even worse when you consider how many people are doing their…

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