Jurisdictional reliance on the death penalty continues to be shaped by the broader social, political and economic contexts in which they occur, but these relationships are more complex than what has been suggested by previous state-level analyses, according to a new study that utilized sweeping county-level data on the death penalty.

Academics aren't in agreement on how to define, measure or study "fake news," according to a new meta-analysis that reviewed existing academic research on the topic, raising concerns that companies and governments considering restrictions on speech may be misinformed about the extent of the problem.

Metagenomic analysis of skeletons found at a Late Medieval-age mass burial site in Lübeck, Germany, provides evidence of an enteric paratyphoid fever outbreak in the area but no evidence of the bubonic plague, contradicting expectations of archaeologists and anthropologists.

Paintings by female artists on average sell for 42.1% less than the average price for paintings by men, according to a new study that is the first to focus on prices as a measure of inequality in the art world.

The structural features of a soccer team's passing network are indicative of overall play style but may also indicate a higher probability of winning a match, according to a new study that is the first to use passing network indicators to model the probability of winning a match.

Mass shootings in the U.S. polarize politicians and voters on gun control policies when they occur and can cause Republicans to lose votes in House, Senate and presidential elections in counties where they take place, according to a new study.

Women on the British side of the historic Anglo-French partition of Cameroon are more economically empowered than their French counterparts, but they are also at a higher risk for domestic violence, according to a new study that paints a nuanced picture of female empowerment in developing countries.

Inspirational messaging about the competence of those with a mental illness is generally more effective in anti-stigma campaigns than messages that present information about the biological origins or psycho-social origins of a mental illness, according to a new study that is among the first to provide data about different types of stigma-reducing messaging.

Up to one in five wells worldwide may be at risk of running dry if underground water levels decline by just a few meters, according to a new study that is the first to create a map of the wells used to access water around the globe.

The Great Isaiah Scroll, one of the largest and best-preserved of the seven Dead Sea Scrolls, was likely authored by two writers rather than one, according to new interdisciplinary research that employed computer-based pattern recognition and artificial intelligence techniques to determine writer identification.

College-age romantic partners' texting styles become increasingly similar as their relationship forms, according to a new study that is among the first to investigate linguistic alignment in text messages.

The degree to which Latinx voters prioritize their U.S. American identity over their Latinx identity may have a significant influence on whether those voters support conservative immigration policies and Republican candidates, according to new research.