I would add that the problem is not new, and not limited to junior researchers.
In my first faculty position about 20 years ago, I followed a line of research that a senior (MacArthur Fellowship-winning) colleague had pioneered. After three years and a few negative results, I came to suspect that several high-profile publications were p-hacked and likely false positives.
It was extremely demotivating, to say the least. I switched to a different field and fairly soon afterward left academia altogether.
A very senior scientist later confirmed my suspicions about their disregard for professional ethics.
t0mpr1c3 · · focus · HN ↗
In my first faculty position about 20 years ago, I followed a line of research that a senior (MacArthur Fellowship-winning) colleague had pioneered. After three years and a few negative results, I came to suspect that several high-profile publications were p-hacked and likely false positives.
It was extremely demotivating, to say the least. I switched to a different field and fairly soon afterward left academia altogether.
A very senior scientist later confirmed my suspicions about their disregard for professional ethics.