Legal Issues News -- ScienceDaily Legal issues pertaining to science, the environment and health. Read the latest scientific research.
- Reforms urged to improve global wildlife trade regulationon February 4, 2025 at 6:24 pm
This week, the world's governments are meeting in Geneva for the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is the main agreement that regulates international wildlife trade, which is critical to ensuring that trade does not damage the status of wild populations of plants and animals. The year 2025 marks 50 years since CITES was founded, yet new research has found that it is failing to adequately deter the illegal extraction and trade of many species. The researchers propose a new framework for CITES, the use of which could make the Convention more effective. This framework supports sustainability by deeply analyzing wildlife trade systems and ensuring that CITES trade measures fit within wider supply chain structures. It also ensures these trade systems are fair and recognized by those involved.
- Nearly 30,000 wild species identified in US trade dataon January 9, 2025 at 6:00 pm
International research has found almost 30,000 wild species have been traded in the United States, according to data captured by US wildlife trade monitoring organization Law Enforcement Manage Information System.
- Mediterranean sharks continue to decline despite conservation progresson January 8, 2025 at 7:43 pm
New research has found more than 200 measures to protect sharks and rays across the 22 coastal states of the Mediterranean region. However, while elasmobranchs have made it onto many policy agendas, the study found considerable differences in how effectively any legislation was being monitored with no single source for tracking progress in the conservation and management of sharks at national levels.
- Uganda: Major survey brings new light to carnivore conservationon December 3, 2024 at 8:44 pm
Lion numbers in the country are at a critical low while hyenas are faring well across four major protected areas in Uganda, according to new survey findings.
- GPS system for microorganisms could revolutionize police workon November 7, 2024 at 4:52 pm
A research team developed an AI tool that traces back the most recent places you have been to. The tool acts like a satellite navigation system, but instead of guiding you to your hotel, it identifies the geographical source of microorganisms. This means you can use bacteria to determine whether someone has just been to the beach, got off the train in the city center or taken a walk in the woods. This opens up new possibilities within medicine, epidemiology and forensics.
- Nearly 6 percent of pregnant women report marijuana use, U.S. study findson October 30, 2024 at 7:04 pm
A new study, using responses from the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, has found that about 6 percent of pregnant women reported using marijuana during the last month, and many did not associate it with health risks.
- The transformative power of movieson October 21, 2024 at 9:04 pm
Docudrama can lead people to be more empathetic toward people who are stigmatized in society, a new study finds.
- Smaller, more specific academic journals have more sway over policyon October 17, 2024 at 9:29 pm
Journals focused on ferns, clams, or coral reefs had proportionally more of their articles cited by the federal government when protecting species than more prominent, higher-impact journals. The naturalist stepping through old-growth forest collecting fern samples is the most likely to observe subtle species and habitat changes on the ground and find an outlet in a specialized journal willing to publish a species-specific article.
- Environmental law reform needed to protect endangered marine specieson October 9, 2024 at 12:14 am
Researchers are calling for reforms to Australia's environmental laws, as threatened fish species continue to be legally exported.
- Transition to low-carbon futures: New research uncovers rise in legal challenges to climate actionon October 8, 2024 at 4:25 pm
As the global push towards low-carbon societies accelerates, a new study reveals that justice concerns are increasingly surfacing in legal disputes over climate policies and projects. This phenomenon, described as 'just transition litigation', emphasizes the need to balance climate action with social justice considerations, ensuring that vulnerable communities are not disproportionately impacted.
- Chronic pain patients are more supportive of cannabis access than doctorson October 2, 2024 at 5:52 pm
A study reveals a gap between patient and physician attitudes on medical marijuana policies.
- New method for fingerprint analysis holds great promiseon September 13, 2024 at 2:53 pm
Overlapping and weak fingerprints pose challenges in criminal cases. A new study offers a solution and brings hope for using chemical residues in fingerprints for personal profiling.
- Geographic differences in U.S. homicide rates have decreased since the 1970son August 28, 2024 at 7:49 pm
A new study finds that, counter to expectations, geographic disparities in rates of homicides in the US have decreased in recent decades.
- How to catch a criminal using their 'skin shedder' profileon August 22, 2024 at 5:00 pm
A pioneering new DNA forensics technique is looking for a reliable method to measure a suspect's individual level of natural shedding of skin and other cells to add to, and compare with, evidence collected at crime scenes. Using a novel technique of cell staining, forensic science experts have tested 100 people to confirm how people shed varying levels of touch DNA, from very low to very high.
- Study explains why laws are written in an incomprehensible styleon August 19, 2024 at 9:23 pm
A new study on 'legalese' suggests this convoluted language acts to convey a sense of authority in legal documents. The researchers also found that even non-lawyers use legalese when asked to write laws.
- People's moral values change with the seasonson August 6, 2024 at 5:13 pm
A new psychology study has revealed regular seasonal shifts in people's moral values. The research analyzed survey responses from more than 230,000 people in the U.S. over 10 years and revealed that people's endorsement of moral values that promote group cohesion and conformity is stronger in the spring and fall than it is in the summer and winter. This has potential implications for politics, law and health -- including the timing of elections and court cases.
- Improving identification of human remains using craniofacial superimpositionon July 17, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Researchers propose an improvement in the identification of human remains using craniofacial superimposition. The forensic identification technique is based on the analysis of a skull (post-mortem) and photographs of the person's face (ante-mortem). It represents a major step in making objective decisions that are based on the ability to quantify the probability that a skull matches the photographs being examined.
- Boosting biodiversity without hurting local economieson June 21, 2024 at 9:23 pm
Protected areas, like nature reserves, can conserve biodiversity without harming local economic growth, countering a common belief that conservation restricts development. A new study outlines what is needed for conservation to benefit both nature and people.
- A novel approach to tracking conservation reveals more areas may be conserved than currently accounted foron June 5, 2024 at 1:39 am
An international team of conservation researchers and practitioners has developed an inclusive inventory approach for tracking global conservation areas, with an emphasis on local data and expertise. Applying this approach across the nine countries spanning the Amazon Rainforest identified a wide array of conservation areas with greater diversity and area coverage than existing tracking systems showed.
- Study shows how justice facility dogs benefit wellbeing for children facing courton June 4, 2024 at 5:21 pm
A new study has revealed that having a four-legged friend at Children's Court significantly reduces stress and anxiety for young victims, witnesses, and their caregivers.
- Laser technology offers breakthrough in detecting illegal ivoryon April 24, 2024 at 8:02 pm
A new way of quickly distinguishing between illegal elephant ivory and legal mammoth tusk ivory could prove critical to fighting the illegal ivory trade. A laser-based approach could be used by customs worldwide to aid in the enforcement of illegal ivory from being traded under the guise of legal ivory.
- Research shows direct link between state income taxes and migrationon April 4, 2024 at 2:49 am
A new study looks at 110 years of income tax history across the U.S. and notes out-migration by wealthy Americans.
- Reducing late-night alcohol sales curbed all violent crimes by 23% annually in a Baltimore neighborhoodon April 1, 2024 at 11:04 pm
New study findings suggest that shortening overnight operations by seven hours at bars and taverns in a Baltimore, Md. neighborhood resulted in a 51 percent immediate drop in homicides within the first month, followed by a 23 percent decline in all violent crimes annually in the surrounding area, compared to similar neighborhoods with no change in hours of sale. Homicide rates decreased by 40 percent in each subsequent year.
- Laws that punish drug use during pregnancy likely lead to worse health outcomes for families, study findson March 18, 2024 at 6:23 pm
Contrary to some claims, laws that criminalize or otherwise punish drug use during pregnancy are more likely to worsen rather than improve health outcomes. The study is the first to systematically review the literature on punitive prenatal drug laws -- an increasingly common state policy strategy for addressing rising rates of prenatal drug use.
- New simpler and cost-effective forensics test helps identify touch DNAon March 14, 2024 at 4:20 pm
Research has found a less expensive and easier to use test to learn more about forensic touch DNA. This research has important implications for forensic investigations and being able to identify DNA from a primary contact -- someone who may have committed the crime -- as well as secondary DNA that was inadvertently and indirectly transferred through touch.
- Advances in forensic science improve accuracy of 'time of death' estimateson March 4, 2024 at 6:59 pm
Accurate 'time of death' estimates are a mainstay of murder mysteries and forensic programs, but such calculations in the real world are often complex and imprecise. In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have discovered a group of common microbes that work together specifically to decompose flesh. These microorganisms serve as a biological clock and allow scientists to investigate the post-mortem breakdown of tissue with unprecedented precision.
- Study shows background checks don't always check outon February 15, 2024 at 7:22 pm
New research shows that background checks for employment, housing and more can be highly problematic.
- Can AI be too good to use?on December 13, 2023 at 12:19 am
Much of the discussion around implementing artificial intelligence systems focuses on whether an AI application is 'trustworthy': Does it produce useful, reliable results, free of bias, while ensuring data privacy? But a new article poses a different question: What if an AI is just too good?
- How bloodstain 'tails' can point to significant, additional forensic detailson November 21, 2023 at 10:52 pm
Scientists demonstrate how bloodstains can yield valuable details by examining the protrusions that deviate from the boundaries of otherwise elliptical bloodstains. The researchers studied how these 'tails' are formed using a series of high-speed experiments with human blood droplets less than a millimeter wide impacting horizontal surfaces at various angles. They found that the tail length can reflect information about the size, impact speed, and impact angle of the blood drop that formed the stain.
- New scientific methods for analyzing criminal careerson November 13, 2023 at 4:17 pm
Researchers have examined 1.2 million criminal incidents and developed an innovative method to identify patterns in criminal trajectories.
- Cat-ching criminals with DNA from pet hairson October 30, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Cat hair could be the purr-fect way to catch criminals, according to researchers.
- Forensic evidence can survive underwater for weekson October 16, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Forensic fibers can survive underwater for much longer than previously thought -- which could help criminal investigators uncover vital evidence. New research has found that fiber evidence can survive on fabrics underwater for several weeks.
- Researchers blow whistle on forensic science methodon October 2, 2023 at 4:42 pm
If forensic experts have access to a suspect's gun, they can compare the microscopic markings from discarded shell casings with those found at a crime scene. Finding and reporting a mismatch can help free the innocent, just as a match can incriminate the guilty. But new research reveals mismatches are more likely than matches to be reported as 'inconclusive' in cartridge-case comparisons.
- Protecting lands slows biodiversity loss among vertebrates by five timeson September 27, 2023 at 7:46 pm
Protecting large swaths of Earth's land can help stem the tide of biodiversity loss -- especially when those protected areas are in less disturbed landscapes and in countries with effective national governance. A new study looked at how amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds fared in protected versus unprotected areas worldwide. Vertebrate abundance decreased five times more slowly inside protected areas, offering much-needed support for the United Nations' '30 by 30' conservation initiative.
- Kindergarten conduct problems could cost society later, researchers findon August 30, 2023 at 11:59 pm
A new economic analysis has linked, for the first time, conduct problems among kindergarten students with significant costs to society in terms of crime and associated medical expenses and lost productivity when they are adults.
- Why childhood adversity impacts how a person's behavior is judgedon August 22, 2023 at 7:17 pm
It's human nature to be judgmental. But why do we place less blame on someone, or give more praise, if we find out that person had a history of suffering in childhood? In a recent study, researchers discovered why someone's childhood adversity influences how others judge their behavior.
- Effectiveness of video gameplay restrictions questioned in new studyon August 10, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Legal restrictions placed on the amount of time young people in China can play video games may be less effective than originally thought, a new study has revealed.
- Managing domestic and wildcats is likely to remain fraught, new research warnson August 8, 2023 at 3:09 pm
Current efforts to protect and restore native biodiversity is being threatened by difficulties in identifying wild and domestic cats, and categorization is likely to remain fraught for the foreseeable future, experts have warned.
- Early-life lead exposure linked to higher risk of criminal behavior in adulthood, researchers findon August 1, 2023 at 7:28 pm
An evaluation of 17 previously published studies suggests that exposure to lead in the womb or in childhood is associated with an increased risk of engaging in criminal behavior in adulthood -- but more evidence is needed to strengthen understanding.
- Billions in conservation spending fail to improve wild fish stocks in Columbia Basinon July 28, 2023 at 9:06 pm
Four decades of conservation spending totaling more than $9 billion in inflation-adjusted tax dollars has failed to improve stocks of wild salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin.
- Conservation in Indonesia is at risk, a team of researchers who study the region argueson July 10, 2023 at 3:32 pm
Indonesia, home to the largest tropical rainforest in Southeast Asia and over 17,500 islands, is a country packed with biodiversity and endangered species. However, scientists studying the region's species and ecosystems are getting banned from Indonesia, and conservation plans are being blocked. A team of conservation researchers with long-term experience in Indonesia discuss scientific suppression and other research challenges they have witnessed while working in the region. They offer suggestions for how to promote nature conservation, protect data transparency, and share research with the public in this and other regions of the world.
- Forensics lab cracks case on newer, 'greener' gunshot residueon July 6, 2023 at 7:27 pm
Discoveries by forensic scientists about how gunshot residue behaves on skin, hair and fabric will allow crime scene investigators to catch up to the proliferation of new, eco-friendly types of ammunition and make faster, more informed decisions at crime scenes and in forensic laboratories.
- Robots and Rights: Confucianism Offers Alternativeon May 25, 2023 at 6:15 pm
As robots assume more roles in the world, a new analysis reviewed research on robot rights, concluding that granting rights to robots is a bad idea. Instead, the article looks to Confucianism to offer an alternative.
- Can investigators use household dust as a forensic tool?on April 3, 2023 at 8:24 pm
It is possible to retrieve forensically relevant information from human DNA in household dust.
- Going beyond English is critical for conservationon March 21, 2023 at 3:25 pm
Research in languages other than English is critically important for biodiversity conservation and is shockingly under-utilized internationally, according to an international research team.
- Better eyewitness lineup improves accuracy, detecting innocenceon February 1, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Researchers have developed and repeatedly tested a procedure that captures more information from eyewitnesses and improves the accuracy of lineups in police investigations.
- Automatic speaker recognition technology outperforms human listeners in the courtroomon November 7, 2022 at 3:32 pm
The forensic-voice-comparison system, based on state-of-the-art automatic-speaker-recognition technology, outperformed all the listeners.
- Mass school shootings are not caused by mental illness, study findson October 31, 2022 at 2:44 pm
The researchers suggest that mass school shootings are different from other forms of mass murder, and that they should be looked at as a distinct phenomenon. Factors other than severe mental illness contribute to the vast majority of cases.
- Amber fossils from Myanmaron October 19, 2022 at 3:14 pm
Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, is plagued by political and economic crises. The fall of a president, a military putsch and the crackdown on religious minorities have had an impact not only on life but also on research in the country. One area of research that has been particularly affected is research into fossils preserved in amber. Researchers have conducted a case study proving the negative impact political conflicts have on research. They examined scientific publications from the last three decades describing fossils in amber from Myanmar. Their results indicate that the increased research interest in Myanmar amber is explicitly linked to major political, legal and economic changes.
- Medical privacy of forensic samples questionedon October 13, 2022 at 11:40 pm
Watch any episode of 'CSI,' and a character will use forensic DNA profiling to identify a criminal. A new study suggests that these forensic profiles may indirectly reveal medical information -- perhaps even those of crime victims -- contrary to what the legal field has believed for nearly 30 years. The findings could have ethical and legal implications.
- Maintaining green parks and gardens in cities has the potential to lower the risk of crime, study suggestson October 12, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Maintaining green parks and gardens in cities has the potential to lower the risk of crime, research suggests. More green space in a city is linked with lower risk of crime against property -- such as burglary, arson and vandalism -- and less risk of violent offences, the study found.
- Law enforcement is hampering harm reduction programs, North Carolina study findson September 29, 2022 at 5:26 pm
In 2016, North Carolina enacted legislation providing legal protections to people who make use of programs designed to reduce harms associated with illegal drug use. However, a new study finds these legal protections are not recognized uniformly by law enforcement, raising questions about the extent to which the actions of law enforcement personnel are hampering the effectiveness of these programs.
- How old is that fingerprint?on September 21, 2022 at 1:29 pm
Forensic dramas on TV make it seem easy to determine when fingerprints were left at the scene of a crime. In reality, the oils in fingerprints degrade over time, and it's difficult to figure out their age. Now, researchers have discovered molecular markers for changes to these oils over a seven-day time period -- information that could be used to estimate fingerprints' ages more accurately.
- Study finds significant increase in firearm assaults in states that relaxed conceal carry permit restrictionson September 20, 2022 at 3:54 pm
A new study has found that the average rate of assaults with firearms increased an average of 9.5 percent relative to forecasted trends in the first 10 years after 34 states relaxed restrictions on civilians carrying concealed firearms in public.
- More than 1.1 million sea turtles poached over last three decadeson September 7, 2022 at 1:34 pm
Researchers estimate that more than 1.1 million sea turtles have been illegally killed and, in some cases, trafficked between 1990 and 2020. Even with existing laws prohibiting their capture and use, as many as 44,000 sea turtles were exploited each year over the past decade in 65 countries or territories and in 44 of the world's 58 major sea turtle populations. Despite the seemingly large number of poached turtles, the study also shows that the reported illegal exploitation of sea turtles declined by approximately 28% over the last decade.
- Wildlife hunting motivations vary across Africa and Europeon August 30, 2022 at 6:51 pm
Wildlife hunting motivations and resulting ecological consequences vary depending on the socio-economic context across Africa and Europe, according to a new study. Despite these shifts, the intensity of hunting varies less than commonly expected across this North-South context.
- Cannabis legalization boosts use by double digitson August 27, 2022 at 1:24 pm
A new first-of-its-kind study of twins finds that residents of states where recreational marijuana is legal use it 24% more frequently than those in states where it's illegal. It's among the strongest evidence yet that legalization increases use.
- New standardized framework allows conservationists to assess benefits of non-native specieson August 16, 2022 at 6:26 pm
A new framework for classifying the positive impacts of non-native species will allow conservationists and policymakers to make better-informed management decisions, according to a new article.
- New research shows 2/3 of species in global shark fin trade at risk of extinctionon July 20, 2022 at 4:11 pm
Researchers sampled nearly 10,000 shark fin trimmings from markets in Hong Kong -- one of the largest shark fin trade hubs in the world. With a little DNA detective work, they unraveled the mystery of what fin belonged to what species, and found that endangered or threatened species were disproportionately represented in the trade, highlighting the need for additional international regulations in trade and shark management practices.
- Marijuana use is much more common in US states that have legalized recreational cannabis useon July 19, 2022 at 8:21 pm
A new study found that rates of cannabis use and daily cannabis use have increased across the U.S., and current cannabis use and daily use are substantially higher among individuals residing in states that have legalized recreational cannabis use. Rates of cannabis use are even higher among Americans 12 and older who smoke cigarettes, and who reside in states with recreational cannabis laws, compared to those who live in states where cannabis was illegal in 2017.