Fraud, ageism and fear: Understanding the unique risks faced by senior citizens online

Ageism is not only a deeply ingrained societal bias; it is a powerful tool used by cybercriminals to target and financially exploit vulnerable senior citizens, say researchers from the University of Surrey .

University of Surrey

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Ageism is not only a deeply ingrained societal bias; it is a powerful tool used by cybercriminals to target and financially exploit vulnerable senior citizens, say researchers from the University of Surrey 

In 2022 alone, losses due to internet crimes targeted at older people soared to an estimated $4.7 billion in the US. The study, published in the Security Journal, investigated how senior citizens are increasingly falling prey to online fraud.  

The research team defines ageism in the context of cybercrime as the intentional targeting of older adults as potential victims, driven by the belief that they are wealthy and easy to deceive. This perception, according to the research team, not only reflects a societal bias but also poses a grave threat to the safety and wellbeing of seniors who are navigating an increasingly digital world. 

Dr Suleman Lazarus, Cybercrime expert and lead author of the study at the University of Surrey, said: 

"Our research shows that ageism is a significant contributing factor to the cyber exploitation of older adults.  Ageism serves as a weapon used by online offenders to target older adults, while the concept of the ideal victim acts as society's shield in response to these reprehensible actions. The ideal victim helps to shape societal perceptions of vulnerability, steering focus away from victim-blaming and influencing how these crimes are addressed and understood.  We need to gain a deeper understanding of their victims' vulnerabilities and establish more effective support systems.” 

The research team used a framework to examine the relationship between ageism, cybercrime, and the socioeconomic vulnerabilities of older adults. They analysed various factors that make older people more susceptible to online fraud, including cognitive decline, social isolation, and a heightened level of trust in others.  

One of the most striking findings is that the elderly are not just victims of cybercrime due to their financial status but also because of deeply rooted stereotypes that portray them as frail and gullible. These misconceptions perpetuate a dangerous narrative, making it easier for fraudsters to manipulate their victims through schemes that exploit their vulnerabilities. 

Dr Michael McGuire, co-author and Cybersecurity expert at the University of Surrey, said: 

"Older adults are particularly at risk due to a combination of factors, such as limited technological proficiency and an increased fear of cybercrime, which often leads them to respond to fraudulent solicitations without sufficient scrutiny. 

"We need a more nuanced understanding of cybercrime that goes beyond mere technological advancements. By reframing cybercrime through the lens of socioeconomic factors, we must implement educational initiatives and support systems aimed at empowering older adults to protect themselves online. 

"By confronting the ageist attitudes that underpin the targeting of our elderly population, we can begin to dismantle the structures that allow such exploitation to thrive. It is imperative that we come together as a community to safeguard the well-being of our senior citizens, ensuring they are seen not as victims but as valued members of society deserving of respect and protection." 

  

[ENDS]  

Note to editors:  

• Dr Suleman Lazarus and Dr Michael Mcguire are available for interview, please contact mediarelations@surrey.ac.uk to arrange.    

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Journal

Security Journal

DOI

10.1057/s41284-025-00482-4 

Article Title

Cybercrime against senior citizens: exploring ageism, ideal victimhood, and the pivotal role of socioeconomics

 A World First:

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research develop an mRNA-based vaccine against a deadly bacterium

Tel-Aviv University

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(Left to right): Prof. Dan Peer, Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halevy & Shani Benarroch.

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Credit: Tel Aviv University

Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Israel Institute for Biological Research in Ness Ziona have used the platform developed for COVID-19 vaccines to create the world’s first mRNA-based vaccine against a deadly, antibiotic-resistant bacterium. In this groundbreaking study, the researchers tested the vaccine’s resistance to the virulent pathogen that causes the disease and were able to demonstrate 100% protection against infection in animal models. The researchers now hope that this technology can be used to combat other lethal bacteria as well.

The study was led by Tel Aviv University’s Vice President for Research and Development Prof. Dan Peer, a global pioneer in mRNA drug development and director of the Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine at the Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research. He worked alongside researchers from the Israel Institute for Biological Research — Dr. Uri Elia, Dr. Yinon Levy, Dr. Emmy Mamroud, and Dr. Ofer Cohen — as well as members of his own laboratory team: Dr. Edo Kon, Dr. Inbal Hazan-Halevy, and doctoral student Shani Benarroch. The study was featured on the cover of the prestigious journal Advanced Science.

The vaccine developed by the team from the Institute for Biological Research and Tel Aviv University is an mRNA-based vaccine delivered via lipid nanoparticles, similar to the COVID-19 vaccine. However, mRNA vaccines are typically effective against viruses like COVID-19 — not against bacteria like the plague.

Dr. Uri Elia explains: “Viruses rely on a host cell to survive and replicate. They infect the cell with an RNA molecule (mRNA) that contains instructions for making viral proteins. The virus uses the cell as a factory to replicate itself. In an mRNA vaccine, this molecule is synthesized and encased in a lipid nanoparticle that resembles human cell membranes. The nanoparticle fuses with the cell, the cell produces the viral proteins, and the immune system learns to recognize and defend against the actual virus upon exposure. Bacteria, however, are a different story: they produce their own proteins and do not rely on human cells. Moreover, due to the different evolutionary paths of humans and bacteria, their proteins are very different from ours.”

In 2023, the researchers developed a unique method for producing the bacterial protein within a human cell in a way that prompts the immune system to recognize it as a genuine bacterial protein and thus learn to defend against it. The researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Institute for Biological Research proved, for the first time, that it is possible to develop an effective mRNA vaccine against bacteria. They chose Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes bubonic plague — a disease responsible for deadly pandemics throughout human history. In animal models, the researchers demonstrated that it is possible to effectively vaccinate against the disease with a single dose.

Prof. Dan Peer: “In the previous study, we developed a vaccine for a form of plague transmitted through the skin — for example, via flea bites. In the current study, we chose a much more ambitious target: pneumonic plague, which spreads from person to person and causes respiratory illness — making it particularly difficult to develop a vaccine against. For this reason, we used two proteins — two antigens — to create the vaccine. We tested it on several animal model strains and found that, after two vaccine doses, we achieved 100% protection against pneumonic plague: the animals infected with the plague did not get sick at all. The success of the current study paves the way for a whole world of mRNA-based vaccines against other deadly bacteria.”

“The plague — a disease that killed about two-thirds of Europe’s population in the Middle Ages (‘The Black Death’) still resurfaces occasionally today, for example in Madagascar. So the potential for a pandemic still exists,” says Dr Uri Elia. “The disease is caused by a bacterium called Yersinia pestis, for which there is no approved vaccine in Western countries. This bacterium is highly contagious and extremely lethal, making it a serious threat. Moreover, this bacterium concerns us as a potential agent of bioterrorism. If one of our enemies tries to use it against us, we want to be prepared with a vaccine.”

Link to the article:

https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202501286

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Journal

Advanced Science

DOI

10.1002/advs.202501286 

New study finds cooling garments can protect laborers in a hotter world

A new paper from researchers in the Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) demonstrates that commercially available body-cooling garments provide significant protection against extreme heat

University of Connecticut

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The world is getting hotter and hotter. 2024 was the hottest year on record, and 2025 is on track to come in a close second.

This trend is making working conditions more dangerous for laborers in fields where they are regularly exposed to high temperatures like agriculture and construction. 2.4 billion laborers are exposed to excessive heat every year, resulting in 22.8 million injuries and nearly 19,000 deaths worldwide.

A new paper from researchers at the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) demonstrates that commercially available body-cooling garments provide significant protection against extreme heat. 

KSI is housed within the Department of Kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR).

The study was led by Cecilia Kaufman, director of occupational safety for KSI and doctoral student of kinesiology. This research was published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

Kaufman and her team soaked hats with neck flaps, neck gaiters, and sun sleeves in ice water and then had participants complete tasks like lifting boxes and walking on a treadmill to simulate labor conditions.

“We selected to use those things because they would cover more of the body’s surface area,” Kaufman says. “In order to cool the body as quickly as possible the main focus is to cover as much of the body’s surface area as we can.”

These evaporative cooling garments help pull heat away from the body and dissipate it into the environment to keep the body cool.

The internal temperatures of participants wearing the cooling garments were, on average, one degree Fahrenheit cooler than those in the control group, who did not wear the cooling garments. Those with the garments were also more productive in the tasks they completed for the experiment.

“That decrease in physiological strain and increase in performance was really impactful when we look at using this in addition to water, rest, and shade,” Kaufman says.

The researchers used participants’ internal temperatures during the last 30 minutes of the trial to project what their temperature would be at the end of an eight-hour workday. Those in the control group were projected to reach critical hyperthermia levels, where there is a risk of heat-related injuries, by the end of a shift while those using the cooling products were not.

This study is a follow-up to KSI research led by Margaret Morrissey-Basler’s that found strategies like providing shade, cooling, and water provided significant benefits. However, these strategies are not applicable at all times in all environments, while wearing body-cooling garments can be done anywhere and while working in the sun.

“Evaporative cooling as opposed to conductive cooling can be a great resource in some settings where there might not necessarily be power,” Kaufman says. “As long as you have water or a way to activate these garments with the cooling technology that they hold, then they’re a great resource to use, especially in more isolated settings.”

Additionally, the previous study only looked at men. This is a significant gap as women make up as much as 50% of the agricultural workforce in areas like sub-Saharan Africa. This new research included both men and women in the trials.

More research focusing on laborers is critical. Most studies on heat-related illness to date have focused on athletic and military populations, both of which are extremely physically fit. Laborers, however, are more likely to have preexisting conditions or be taking medications that could heighten their risk of heat-related injuries.

Kaufman says there also needs to be more research focused on different industries which each face their own challenges, as well as more field research in these settings.

“We need more research in agriculture, versus oil and gas, versus manufacturing versus construction,” Kaufman says. “All these industries offer unique perspectives when it comes to these things.”

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Journal

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

DOI

10.1002/ajim.23734 

Method of Research

Randomized controlled/clinical trial

Subject of Research

People

Article Title

The Effects of Body Cooling Strategies on Physiological and Performance Outcomes During Simulated Occupational Work in the Heat

Article Publication Date

14-May-2025

COI Statement

This investigation received funding from MISSION MPUSA LLC. This entity is a corporate partner of the Korey Stringer Institute and the Heat Safety and Performance Coalition. The authors affirm that all disclosed relationships are managed in accordance with journal policies, ensuring the integrity and independence of the research.

 

Like humans, monkeys are attracted to videos showing conflict

Long-tailed macaques share some of our interests, study finds

Ohio State University

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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Have you ever wondered what kind of video content would most grab the attention of monkeys?

A new study of long-tailed macaques suggests the monkeys seem to like some of the same kind of content that humans do: videos featuring aggression and individuals they know.

“Humans and macaques are both social animals who have a fundamental need to belong,” said Brad Bushman, co-author of the study and professor of communication at The Ohio State University.

“It’s not surprising that they both would be most interested in the video content that may help them navigate relationships in their groups.”

The study was published online recently in the journal Animal Cognition. It was led by Elisabeth H.M. Sterck, professor of animal behaviour and cognition at Utrecht University in The Netherlands.

Researchers showed two-minute videos to 28 macaques that lived at a primate research center in The Netherlands. Each macaque saw multiple videos over time featuring monkeys in their group or strangers. Each individual video showed monkeys in one of four types of activities: conflict, grooming of each other, running, or sitting.

The researchers calculated how much time the monkeys spent looking directly at the screen and their reactions while watching.

Findings showed the macaques paid the most attention to videos featuring conflicts between monkeys. Running was the next most popular type of video. Grooming and sitting attracted the least attention.

It is notable that both macaques and humans seem to be attracted to videos featuring similar content, Bushman said.

“We have plenty of research showing the popularity of violent media with humans. Now we have some evidence that other primates might also be attracted to conflict and aggression in videos,” Bushman said.

“From an evolutionary perspective, this makes sense. Both humans and other animals may be hardwired to pay attention to aggression because that is an adaptive response that increases survival,” he added.

The other significant finding of the study was that the macaques watched videos featuring members of their own group more closely than those involving strangers.

“This indicates that gathering social information on group members is more important than getting information about strangers,” Sterck said.

And seeing familiar faces on the screen isn’t just something that’s attractive to monkeys.

“When we as humans watch movies, we like to see actors we know – we like to see the stars playing in big movies more than we do actors who are not familiar to us,” Bushman said.

Findings also showed that low-ranking and less aggressive macaques paid more attention than others to the videos.

“More dominant individuals can be more confident that aggression will not affect them – they don’t have to pay attention to others as much,” Sterck said.

“Lower-ranking individuals can become an aggression victim and that may be why they pay more attention to what others are doing in the videos.”

In addition, high-strung macaques that were more easily stressed paid less attention to group members than those who did not act as stressed.

“We found that the gathering of social information from the videos differed with dominance rank and behavioral tendencies, which may reflect personality,” Sterck said.

The research involved two separate groups of macaques that live at the Biomedical Primate Research Centre in Rijswijk, The Netherlands.

The “stranger” videos that the macaques viewed were those monkeys from a third out-of-view group.

In each enclosure, there is a corridor where the macaques are accustomed to participating in cognitive tests. There were four compartments where the monkeys could watch videos on a laptop.  The subjects entered the corridor on their own volition, and were isolated from other monkeys of their multi-generational group during the two-minute videos.

“The macaques are very visual animals. Their eyesight is similar to that of humans and they are very interested in watching videos,” Sterck said.

The researchers said the findings showed that humans share tendencies with our monkey relatives, including the attraction to videos with conflict.

“Even this brief exposure to aggressive media captured the attention of macaques in the study,” Bushman said. “When you see this in some of our closest primate relatives, it is easy to see why humans are so interested in violent media.”

Other co-authors of the study, all from Utrecht University, were Sophie Kamp, Ive Rouart, Lisette van den Berg, Dian Zijlmans and Tom Roth.

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Journal

Animal Cognition

DOI

10.1007/s10071-025-01970-1 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Reactions to social videos in long-tailed macaques

 

Addressing “spay-neuter syndrome" with testosterone restoration for neutered male dogs

New research published in BMC Veterinary Research provides foundational safety and dosing data for hormone replacement in spayed/neutered pets

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Parsemus Foundation

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Testosterone levels in neutered dogs in the study at Day 0 (baseline) and during three months of testosterone therapy at three dose levels (1X, 3X, and 5X the standard dose). Measurements were taken one week following dosing, reflecting the low point in the week.

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Credit: Parsemus Foundation

The Parsemus Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing pet health, today announced the publication of groundbreaking research on the safety and dosing of testosterone therapy for neutered male dogs. Published in BMC Veterinary Research, this pivotal study provides crucial data for veterinarians to treat "spay-neuter syndrome” - a collection of health and behavioral problems associated with hormone loss following sterilization. Results show that injectable testosterone can safely restore physiological hormone levels in neutered dogs, offering a promising avenue to counteract the adverse health effects of neutering.

Why the loss of a dog’s hormones matters

"Spaying and neutering remove critical hormones, not just fertility,” said Dr. Karen Becker, a leading integrative veterinarian and advocate for pet health. “The resulting deficiencies contribute to numerous degenerative diseases over time. Research-based HRT protocols are essential for veterinarians to restore hormonal balance and safeguard long-term canine health."

Neutering is commonly practiced globally, yet the removal of reproductive organs also eliminates essential hormones like testosterone and estrogen, which play important roles beyond preventing reproduction. This can result in what is increasingly recognized as "spay-neuter syndrome" (a term coined by Dr. Ruth Roberts, Integrative veterinarian, and Holistic Pet Health Coach Educator). Many spayed and neutered dogs develop conditions such as cancer, urinary incontinence, obesity, hypothyroidism, orthopedic problems, and behavioral changes like increased aggression, fearfulness, anxiety, or reactivity. Though hormone-sparing sterilization is gaining attention, research on hormone restoration for already-neutered dogs has been critically lacking.

Funded by the Parsemus Foundation, this is the first study to provide essential safety and dosing data for injectable testosterone in castrated male dogs. The goal is to give veterinarians clear guidance on safe dosages and monitoring parameters so they can better address hormonal imbalances that contribute to chronic health problems and diminished quality of life.

The first study to evaluate the safety of testosterone therapy for neutered dogs

The 90-day target animal safety study enrolled twelve neutered male dogs divided into four groups, each receiving a different weekly dose of injectable testosterone cypionate: 0x, 1x, 3x, or 5x the standard 0.5 mg/kg dose. Researchers monitored bloodwork, hormone levels, prostate health, behavior, and body condition.

Key findings include:

• Safety: Testosterone therapy over a three-month period was safe at all tested doses, including up to five times the standard. Most health parameters remained stable, and adverse events were rare and generally unrelated to treatment.
• Hormone Restoration: Testosterone levels measured one week after injection rose in proportion to the dosage, with significantly higher levels in the 3x and 5x groups.
• LH Reduction: Luteinizing hormone (LH), which rises in neutered dogs due to a lack of negative feedback from gonadal hormones, decreased after 90 days of treatment, especially in the 5x group. This is notable because high LH levels have been associated with health risks including cancer.
• Minimal Impacts: Behavioral measures, prostate health scores, body condition scores, clinical evaluations, and routine bloodwork showed only minor variations across groups or over time, indicating overall stability during treatment.

"This study marks a significant step forward in understanding how to restore hormone balance in neutered dogs safely," said Linda Brent, PhD, Executive Director of the Parsemus Foundation and lead author. "Our findings provide a critical foundation for veterinarians and pet owners considering testosterone therapy to alleviate the long-term health and behavioral challenges associated with spay-neuter syndrome."

The paper also discusses risks, offers LH-reduction strategies, and recommends further research to understand testosterone metabolism and long-term outcomes. While the initial results are encouraging, follow-up studies will be essential to confirm ongoing safety and efficacy.

“The latest research by Dr. Linda Brent and colleagues published in BMC Veterinary Research shows that data-driven testosterone dosing can safely restore testosterone in neutered dogs and dramatically improve their physical health and emotional well-being,” Dr. Peter Dobias, a conventional and integrative veterinarian, remarked. “As we continue to learn more, I believe that ongoing data collection and open communication with veterinarians are the keys to further refining these protocols and empowering dog lovers to make the best decisions for their pets.”

Advancing improvements in pet care

"The Parsemus Foundation is proud to support innovative solutions for under-researched pet health issues,” added Elaine A. Lissner, Founder and Trustee of the foundation. “We are drawn to simple, inexpensive solutions overlooked by the pharmaceutical industry. This study on testosterone restoration in neutered dogs offers more options for pet owners making informed decisions about their animals' health.”

The foundation’s website provides information on hormone-sparing sterilization methods such as vasectomy and hysterectomy, hormone restoration, and nonsurgical options for pet care, along with a veterinary directory for finding clinics that offer these services.

The full research paper, "Safety and dosing of testosterone for hormone restoration in neutered dogs," is available in BMC Veterinary Research.

About the Parsemus Foundation

The Parsemus Foundation is a non-profit private operating foundation dedicated to advancing innovative and neglected medical research that can improve human and animal health. The Foundation focuses on low-cost, high-impact solutions that pharmaceutical companies and other funding sources overlook. Through its work, the Parsemus Foundation aims to bring new, accessible medical options to those who need them most.

Pax, the neutered service dog of Dr. Peter Dobias, benefited from testosterone therapy, regaining his mobility, coat quality, and joyful personality.

Credit

Dr. Peter Dobias

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Journal

BMC Veterinary Research

DOI

10.1186/s12917-025-04869-8 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

Safety and dosing of testosterone for hormone restoration in neutered dogs

Article Publication Date

9-Jul-2025