Law enforcement use subjective tactics to detect marijuana impairment, but these methods have limited scientific basis. Scientists must get involved to develop reliable tools, and funding from legal marijuana sales could support research. A new perspective calls for a more evidence-based approach to road safety.
A study of nearly 600 US companies over 17 years found that firms in states with stakeholder-focused laws are better at avoiding environmental issues. CFOs' personalities, especially if they're overconfident, can lead to risky decisions harming both the environment and the company.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine reveals a significant correlation between socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and increased cannabis retailer presence. Neighborhoods with higher concentrations of low-income Black residents had 2.53 times more cannabis retailers than high-income predominantly Wh...
SourceElsevier·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 2, 2025
The University of Exeter has unveiled a new Handbook providing practical guidance for states to develop or review their national positions on international law and cyber activities. The 176-page guide offers concrete and accessible steps for government lawyers, policy officials, academics, and experts in this rapidly evolving field.
New research reveals complex challenges Aboriginal people face when seeking support after a road traffic injury, including lack of awareness and culturally insensitive systems. The study calls for a national overhaul of compensation and return-to-work programs centered on Indigenous knowledge and cultural determinants of health.
Prof. Netta Barak-Corren has been selected for the ERC Ambassadors program and received a Starting Grant to launch EmpiriCon, a pioneering project addressing the lack of empirical grounding in constitutional law. Her research aims to improve constitutional decision-making with rigorous, empirical work.
A majority of Americans support the role of courts and Congress as checks on presidential power, with high trust in institutions and a desire for judicial independence. Trust in the U.S. Supreme Court has declined since the 2022 Dobbs decision, but remains higher than other branches of government.
A serial cross-sectional study found that legalization of cannabis edibles and extracts was associated with an increase in edible cannabis use, cannabis smoking, and overall cannabis use among adolescents. The study highlights the need for stricter policy measures to curb adolescents' access to cannabis edibles and extracts.
A UOC study analyzes the need for improvements in the appointment process of Spanish Constitutional Court judges, highlighting the potential benefits of European law on judicial independence. The research also examines the existing shortcomings in Spain and France, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the rule of law.
The Cambridge Handbook of the Law, Policy, and Regulation for Human-Robot Interaction addresses emerging issues in AI and robots, including privacy, safety, and regulation. The book offers valuable insights into ethical dilemmas and proposes solutions to balance enforceability and flexibility.
New research from Lancaster University highlights the devastating impact of the UK's unprecedented use of citizenship stripping on British children trapped in dire camps in North-East Syria. The study calls for a children's right approach to repatriation decision-making to ensure safe return and family reunification.
A new paper reveals widespread transnational human rights violations (THRVs) due to repressive states' intensifying tactics. The authors urge the establishment of 'Transnational Rights Protection Offices' to provide support and guidance for individuals affected by these actions.
A UCL study reveals that unregulated experts appointed by family courts in England and Wales have caused devastating harm to children, separating them from their mothers and forcing them to live with abusive fathers. The 'alienation' belief system has become a legal weapon that punishes and controls those who speak up about abuse.
Recreational cannabis legalization in California is associated with higher rates of cannabis use during early pregnancy, driven by jurisdictions allowing adult-use retailers. The study found that individuals living in these areas were more likely to use cannabis during early pregnancy.
A new study finds that 'litigant shopping' – choosing plaintiffs with specific demographic attributes – can influence public perception of the US Supreme Court. The research suggests that attorneys or political interests should carefully consider identity politics when selecting counter-stereotypical litigants to ensure desired outcomes.
The study found a significant reduction in firearm homicide mortality after the implementation of Florida's red flag law, with an 11% rate decrease. However, no differences were observed in nonfirearm homicide rates, suicide rates, or nonfirearm suicide rates.
A new Australian study reveals that people experiencing homelessness face constant and intrusive police interactions, leading to feelings of intimidation, harassment, and stigma. The research highlights the need for improved social security nets, community support services, and public housing infrastructure.
A new study from Stockholm University provides fresh insights into the Viking Age monetary system, revealing a flexible pricing system that used both oxen and silver as units of payment. The Forsa Ring inscription describes fines paid in these forms, indicating a more practical and efficient financial system.
A recent study by Binghamton University Political Science Professor Jeffrey L. Yates found that U.S. presidential elections significantly impact local prosecutor races. The researchers analyzed data from the nation's top 200 districts and discovered that incumbent prosecutors with the same party affiliation as a successful president ha...
A national survey of clinicians providing abortion found elevated moral distress among all practitioners, with those in restrictive states facing twice the stress. The study emphasizes the need for structural changes and policy reform to combat widespread moral distress.
A recent survey study found increased self-managed abortion attempts following federal abortion protection changes in the US. The study revealed that marginalized groups predominantly used ineffective methods, highlighting the need for expanded access to safe and effective abortion care.
A new dataset reveals that lynchings in Latin America are often triggered by alleged theft or murder, with groups of 20-99 individuals involved. Close-knit community ties and peer pressure play a significant role in ordinary civilians taking part in acts of violence against alleged wrongdoers.
A new study found that wire-cut forensic examinations can be misleading due to the high number of comparisons made, potentially leading to wrongful convictions. The researchers recommend additional information about comparison lengths be presented in court cases involving wire-cutting evidence.
The FTC brought about enforcement actions against pharmaceutical manufacturers from 2000-2022, pursuing a small fraction of estimated misconduct in the market. A rule defining 'unfair methods of competition' remains untested, potentially allowing the FTC to more effectively prevent repetitive anticompetitive behavior.
Judges and physicians hold vastly different opinions on appointing legal guardians for people with dementia. Cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as memory impairment and impulsivity, are evaluated differently by medical and legal professionals. Research emphasizes the need for consistency in assessments to ensure equal treatm...
A WVU researcher is studying newly released records of private communications between U.S. Supreme Court justices to learn how they interact and relate behind the scenes. The data, donated by Justice John Paul Stevens, may reveal insights into the collegiality between justices and their interactions on landmark cases.
After the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, a substantial number of abortion seekers accessed services. Provision of medications for self-managed abortions increased in the six months following the decision, indicating growing access to abortion services despite state-level bans and restrictions.
A new study published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A reveals that Supreme Court decisions are significantly shaped by interactions within the court. The researchers found that justices' decisions result from a complex process of negotiation and influence, rather than personal views or ideological leanings.
SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A Mathematical Physical and Engineering Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 19, 2024
The Supreme Court's shift to the right has led to a significant erosion of public trust and legitimacy, with Democrats seeing the court as less legitimate and Republicans viewing it more positively. The court's dramatic change since the 2022 Dobbs ruling has polarized the public along partisan lines for the first time in decades.
A new study found that NC prosecutors believe DIH laws reduce overdoses and illicit drug distribution, but this is contradicted by evidence. The number of DIH prosecutions does not correlate with community-level variables like overdose rates.
A substantial percentage of American Indian or Alaska Native and Black US adults reported living with loaded and unlocked firearms, frequent carry outside the home, and gun violence exposure. This highlights the need for nuanced public health campaigns and policies addressing racial disparities and changing legal frameworks.
A narrative review article in NeuroRehabilitation addresses the medicolegal challenges of litigating cases involving patients with disorders of consciousness. Clinicians and neurolitigators must be aware of the nuances, including terminology, assessment, prognosis, treatment, and patient rights.
SourceIOS Press·JournalNeuroRehabilitation An International Interdisciplinary Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 14, 2024
A new study found that 17% of young mothers in Wales experienced at least one child being taken into care between 2014 and 2021. The study also revealed that many care-experienced mothers experience early motherhood and placement instability, leading to concerns about family separation.
A study of emergency department visits reveals that most injuries from conducted energy devices, such as TASERs, involve young Black and white males from low-income areas. This finding is consistent with existing research on police violence and racial disparities in the US population.
A world-first report found that alternative reporting options could help increase the number of women who report sexual assaults to police. Trauma-informed interviews designed in line with best-practice techniques can improve outcomes for victim-survivors of sexual assault who use them.
A new study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that the US Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision led to an increase in public support for abortion rights, with 2.4 percentage points more respondents believing abortion should be legal for women who choose to have one.
A study of 26.9 million individuals in four Canadian provinces found that commercialized cannabis was associated with increases in cannabis-related health harms, including psychosis. Non-medical cannabis legalization without restrictions did not lead to a significant increase in hospitalizations due to cannabis.
Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.
Projected health outcomes associated with Supreme Court decisions in 2022 suggest substantial harms to public health due to lack of COVID-19 workplace protections and revoked abortion rights. Nearly 3,000 excess deaths are projected over a decade.
A new MIT study shows that lawyers prefer plain English contracts, which they find easier to understand and more appealing than traditional legal documents. The researchers found that while lawyers excel at reading and writing complex legalese, the style can be a barrier for non-lawyers.
A new study from George Mason University College of Public Health found that mental health symptoms worsened in Black youth who interacted with the juvenile justice system during transition to adulthood. Connectedness, particularly to family and community, was a protective factor against declining mental health.
A study at the University of Birmingham found that women can recall details of sexual assault with accuracy, regardless of moderate alcohol intake. The research challenged courtroom perceptions of intoxicated women as unreliable witnesses.
The authors created a data bridge between primary care and public health stakeholders in Alberta, Canada, to enhance the province's response to the pandemic. The data bridge enabled champions to emerge, trust to evolve, and integrative healthcare practices to take place, ultimately improving community-based responses.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze parole data from New York and found that the New York State Parole Board could safely grant parole to more inmates, potentially doubling the release rate. The study suggests eliminating racial disparities in release rates while maintaining public safety.
The book analyzes four Asian jurisdictions and offers policy recommendations for the design of corporate restructuring laws. It highlights the importance of adapting US/UK frameworks to local conditions, taking into account differences in institutional and market structures, controlling shareholders, and creditor composition.
A survey study of over 12,000 high school students in Cleveland found substantial reductions in tobacco product use and decreased disparities across racial and ethnic groups. The findings support the potential of raising the minimum legal age to purchase tobacco to 21 to achieve equity.
A new study by Penn State researchers found no significant difference in fear of crime between people living in areas with high and low incarceration rates. Despite the US having the world's highest incarceration rate, the study suggests that mass incarceration policies may not have the desired effect on reducing crime fear.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that countries with strong rule of law have less economic volatility and higher productivity. Weak rule of law leads to poor contract enforcement, causing employee morale to suffer, ultimately sparking churn and economic instability.
A new report emphasizes the need to divert girls and women from custodial sentences into community alternatives, citing concerns about stigma, criminalization, and systemic failures. The research highlights the experiences of imprisoned women from care and those in care with youth justice system contact.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that lawyers who view negotiation as a game, with arbitrary rules, are less willing to disclose honest information. Lawyers with higher moral character are more likely to adopt an ethical approach, while those with lower moral character are more prone to game framing.
A significant increase in emergency department visits due to cannabis exposures among children was found after Canada's recreational cannabis legalization. The study suggests that the introduction of legal edible cannabis products contributed to this trend.
Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 women who dated or were married to incarcerated partners, analyzing the impact of courtesy stigma and women's coping strategies. The study found that despite disapproval from loved ones, women chose to remain in their relationships, highlighting benefits such as deeper communicat...
A study by the University of Missouri found that people are more likely to praise someone for good deeds if they know the person has also faced suffering earlier in life. This discovery sheds light on how humans process and react to positive behaviors, such as giving praise.
A team of researchers, led by University of Houston associate professor Ryan Kennedy, has received a $750,000 NSF grant to create an algorithm-accountability benchmark. The project aims to establish general ways of analyzing algorithms and studying their impact on public policy decisions.
Researchers found that participants perceived individuals with a 'good' moral disposition as more likely to act out of character, while those with immoral traits were less likely to change perceptions. This bias can have significant consequences for those with questionable characters or facing legal proceedings.
A new study suggests that lawyers' deep knowledge of law has little impact on civil court cases. Instead, the difference lies in their ability to assist with procedures, navigate relationships, and phrase key phrases. This expertise can lead to better outcomes for those representing themselves.
Researchers examine how anthropology is applied in the courtroom, highlighting differences between cultural anthropologists' definitions of culture and the legal system's understanding. Leila Rodriguez presents her own experience testifying in a sexual abuse case, discussing approaches to data collection and its impact on testimony.
The US Chamber of Commerce's annual surveys have been criticized for their inaccuracies and biases, raising concerns about the reliability of their rankings. Theodore Eisenberg's analysis suggests that the surveys may be more of an advocacy tool for tort reform rather than a genuine assessment of state judiciaries.