Search Results for: medical

Researchers suspended in Japan for funding violations

Hokkaido University has suspended two of its professors after an investigation found “improper receipt of research funding.” One member of the team was awarded more than 15 million yen (roughly $120,000 USD) in research grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), according to the official statement (translated by One Hour Translation). The researchers … Continue reading Researchers suspended in Japan for funding violations

First author refuses to sign PNAS retraction after “key findings” are not reproduced

Two out of the three authors of a PNAS paper on mutations underlying lung diseases are pulling it after failing to reproduce key findings. The paper, published in 2012, investigated how mutations in lung surfactant genes induce molecular changes that lead to lung pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer might work. But follow-up work revealed problems. In … Continue reading First author refuses to sign PNAS retraction after “key findings” are not reproduced

Journal that published bogus chocolate study delisted from open access directory

The journal that recently published a bogus study showing the health benefits of chocolate has been kicked out of a membership organization for open access journals. According to the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the International Archives of Medicine was removed from the list of member journals August 20, due to “suspected editorial misconduct by … Continue reading Journal that published bogus chocolate study delisted from open access directory

Weekend reads: “Unfeasibly prolific authors;” why your manuscript will be rejected; is science broken?

The week at Retraction Watch featured revelations of yet more fake peer reviews, bringing the retraction total to 250. Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

Former Wake Forest grad student fudged data for drug study

A former graduate student at Wake Forest School of Medicine “presented falsified and/or fabricated data” in a government-funded drug study, according to findings released by the U.S. Office of Research Integrity earlier today. The report was released in the wake of an investigation conducted by the university and the ORI. Investigators found that although Brandi Blaylock … Continue reading Former Wake Forest grad student fudged data for drug study

Running shoe paper pulled for failing to disclose author’s industry ties

Not so fast — a paper that showed wearing Vibram FiveFingers (resembling foot gloves) “may help reduce running-related injuries” has been removed after the editors realized the first author is on Vibram’s advisory board. Managing editor Noelle A. Boughanmi told us there’s no retraction here — the journal is just fixing the paper to address the relationship … Continue reading Running shoe paper pulled for failing to disclose author’s industry ties

Drugmaker accused of omitting side effect data from 2003 Risperdal paper

A 2003 paper may have left out potentially “significant” data on the long-term side-effects of an antipsychotic drug used in children, according to a former head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As reported by the Toronto Star, David Kessler is alleging that Janssen, the maker of Risperdal (and owned by Johnson & Johnson), omitted data about the risks … Continue reading Drugmaker accused of omitting side effect data from 2003 Risperdal paper

Authors withdraw immunology study, no reasons given

Researchers have withdrawn a 2010 article in the Journal of Biological Chemistry about an immune regulator. The paper was pulled without any explanation (in standard JBC style). Here’s the complete notice: This article has been withdrawn by the authors. The study’s authors were based out of Shandong University Medical School, Jinan General Hospital of Jinan Command … Continue reading Authors withdraw immunology study, no reasons given

Weekend reads: Academic article brokering; favorite fieldwork bloopers; worst peer review ever

This week, we marked the fifth anniversary of Retraction Watch with the announcement of a generous new grant. We also covered the retraction of a slew of papers in a journal plagued by problems. Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

Investigation triggers retraction for biochem paper

A paper has been retracted from PLOS Biology for duplicating lanes and incorporating others that “came from an unrelated experiment that had already been published.” According to the retraction notice, first author Laura Cerchia says that the mistakes came “as a consequence of incorrect incorporation of representative blots.” Cerchia — along with her supervisor, study author Vittorio de Franciscis — “apologizes for … Continue reading Investigation triggers retraction for biochem paper