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Jun 23, 2018 … BRISBANE, Australia — Despite a mountain of scientific evidence and the vast majority of doctors standing behind the research, many parents are still skeptical of vaccinations for their children. But traditional medicine might not be the only thing they’re suspicious of. A new study now shows that “anti-vaxxers” are prone to supporting other common conspiracy…

Jul 28, 2020 … NEWARK, Del. — Surprisingly, a new study finds gender is a more accurate predictor of COVID-19 conspiracy beliefs than political affiliation. Researchers from the University of Delaware say that men are more likely than women to endorse and spread COVID-19 conspiracy theories. Unfounded claims regarding the coronavirus are everywhere these days. Moreover, just like everything else…

Mar 06, 2018 … EXETER, England — Fake news has been a growing problem in recent years, and while many outlets have been vigilant in fighting against it, a new study finds that sometimes all it takes is just an implication or subtle hint within news coverage that can increase belief and adherence to false facts. Researchers from the University…

Dec 04, 2017 … CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The better your news literacy, the less likely you’ll fall for conspiracy theories, a new study finds. Researchers at the University of Illinois surveyed almost 400 online participants about their level of confidence in ten popular conspiracy theories, many discredited, while attempting to evaluate each participant’s ability to use news media literacy…

Mar 25, 2019 … SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — People who believe in conspiracy theories tend to possess similar personality traits, including the belief that they’re never safe and that nonsensical statements are more profound than silly, a recent study finds. Researchers at Union College in upstate New York sought to find out which personality characteristics were most likely to lead one…

Sep 23, 2021 … PULLMAN, Wash. — Conspiracy beliefs are solidified by people who fully trust the information they see on social media platforms, a recent study finds. A conspiracy is a belief that an event (often historical) occurred because of some larger, nefarious plan. Although they are usually false theories, researchers from Washington State University say that the…

Jul 06, 2020 … Researchers use the infamous “Pizzagate” story and “Bridgegate” controversy to investigate a made-up conspiracy compared to a real one. LOS ANGELES — From elaborate scientific hoaxes to clandestine government plots, conspiracy theories abound in this age of social media and internet forums. The speed at which these false narratives proliferate, and the profound effects they…

Dec 18, 2020 … PRINCETON, N.J. — Is being a social outcast more likely to make you look at the world with suspicious eyes? According to a new study conducted by Princeton researchers, isolation may be the common denominator between those who frequently engage in conspiracy theories. Researchers ultimately conclude “that the feelings of despair brought on by social exclusion can…

May 17, 2021 … WASHINGTON — As the famous quote goes, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” In the digital age, misinformation and conspiracy theories reach millions of people before social media platforms remove them from view. With incorrect information about the COVID-19 vaccines running rampant online, many…

May 21, 2019 … BERKELEY, Calif. — Many people who like to base their beliefs and political leanings on fact are often bewildered when they find people who still believe that the Holocaust was a hoax, the Earth is flat, climate change isn’t real, or vaccines cause autism. But a new study suggests the true reason why these false…

Apr 30, 2018 … ROCKVILLE, Md. — Science may have finally put an end to the decades-old debate as to whether or not the bullets that killed President John F. Kennedy actually came second gunman positioned on the “grassy knoll” at Dallas’ Dealey Plaza back in November 1963. A new study shows that, based on the forward motion in…

Apr 27, 2020 … Survey shows nearly a quarter of Americans believe the coronavirus originated in Chinese lab. One in five adults feel the outbreak is being over-exaggerated as a means to bring down President Trump’s chances at reelection. Social media, conservative news linked to belief in misinformation or conspiracy theories about the virus. PHILADELPHIA — Where do you usually…

Feb 19, 2020 … PHILADELPHIA — The anti-vaccination movement, despite its controversial philosophy, continues to gain quite a followers. Similar to popular conspiracy theories, the mindset that vaccinations do more harm than good has largely spread thanks to the internet and social media. Recently, researchers from the Annenberg Public Policy Center conducted a study on modern vaccine beliefs involving close…

Oct 29, 2018 … New research shows greater levels of trust linked to a longer life. STOCKHOLM — Trust in America is on the decline, and it may be preventing many people from living longer lives. A new study finds that people who are more trusting of others tend to have longer lifespans than those mired in suspicion. Researchers from Stockholm…

Mar 12, 2018 … BOSTON — New research into the science of fake news indicated that false or misleading stories spread notably faster on Twitter than real news. Perhaps even more surprisingly was the study found that human users, not Twitter bots, are responsible for this fake news acceleration, according to researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology “We found that…

May 13, 2021 … KENSINGTON, Australia — The internet is a wonderful place because it’s open to anyone. Of course, the internet can also be an awful place because it’s open to anyone. That catch-22 of convenience and a serious lack of oversight has reared its ugly head in recent years as the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories has…

Mar 18, 2020 … Author: “The virus is the product of natural evolution, ending any speculation about deliberate genetic engineering.” JUPITER, Fla. — Over the course of this Covid-19 ordeal, a number of outlandish conspiracy theories have emerged that the virus was produced in a Chinese, Canadian, or American lab. Conspiracy theories have become an increasingly common part of everyday…

Apr 08, 2021 … MONTREAL, Quebec — Since the start of the pandemic, misinformation, conspiracy theories, and falsehoods about COVID-19 have been running rampant. According to researchers from McGill University, America isn’t just a COVID hot zone, it’s a breeding ground for bad info. Their study claims Americans are “super-spreaders of COVID misinformation,” and warns that the U.S. “infodemic”…

Jun 07, 2018 … TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — If it seems like you glance at a headline and the next thing you know the story is consuming your Facebook and Twitter feeds, it’s no coincidence. A five-year study out of Florida State University found that the news media is responsible for shaping public discourse and gearing people up to express their…

Mar 17, 2020 … NORWICH, England — For the sane and decent, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would want to spread misinformation and fear during a time like this. Unfortunately, fake news regarding the coronavirus continues to spread. Now, a recent piece of research that investigated the effect of misinformation on influenza, monkeypox, and norovirus outbreaks says that curbing…

Aug 10, 2019 … CANTERBURY, England — “Doomsday prepping” or stockpiling food, medicine, weapons and other supplies in case of an apocalyptic scenario has long been considered peculiar behavior only exhibited by conspiracy theorists and other extremists in the United States. However, such prepping has actually been steadily on the rise in the U.S. over the past decade. So, what’s…