I think what you're saying is right, but given the amount of fraud there has been in science in the past, I would have a hard time believing this is a new trend

I think what you're saying is right, but given the amount of fraud there has been in science in the past, I would have a hard time believing this is a new trend. There have always been people willing to do anything for fame/power/money. Science isn't immune to having such people.