Search Results for: sting

Braggadacio, information control, and fear: Life inside a Brigham stem cell lab under investigation

The following post was written by a former research fellow in the lab of Piero Anversa to whom we’ve promised confidentiality. Anversa has previously told us that he cannot comment because of an ongoing investigation. Regular readers of Retraction Watch will note the recent news regarding the work conducted in the laboratory of Piero Anversa … Continue reading Braggadacio, information control, and fear: Life inside a Brigham stem cell lab under investigation

“Gremlins” caused errors in climate change paper showing gains from global warming

The author of a controversial 2009 paper arguing that at least some amount of global warming could lead to economic gains has corrected the paper, along with a later article in a different journal. We confess to be baffled by the implications of the mix-up, although others appear to be less confused. The 2009 article, … Continue reading “Gremlins” caused errors in climate change paper showing gains from global warming

Miłość at first sight: A retraction notice worth emulating from Poland

If we had a Retraction Watch headquarters (other than the diner where we occasionally meet for breakfast), we would have had to have closed up early today, because we both swooned when we saw a retraction notice from the Journal of Polish CIMAC this morning. The notice, signed by the journal’s editor-in-chief Jerzy Girtler, of … Continue reading Miłość at first sight: A retraction notice worth emulating from Poland

Which countries have the most retractions, for which reasons?

One of the questions we often get — but are careful to answer with some version of “we don’t know because we don’t have a denominator” — is how retraction rates vary by scientific field and country. We’ve noticed that the reasons for retraction seem to vary among countries, but didn’t really have the data. … Continue reading Which countries have the most retractions, for which reasons?

BMJ authors take back inaccurate statin safety statements

Last October, the BMJ published a paper by a group of researchers from the United States and Canada questioning the use of statins in patients considered at low risk of cardiovascular disease. The article has been cited eight times since then, according to Thomson Scientific’s Web of Knowledge. It mentioned data from another study that … Continue reading BMJ authors take back inaccurate statin safety statements

The “sins and virtues of authors span a rather colorful palette”: New editor yanks plagiarized paper

What a difference a new editor can make. Consider the case of a paper in Scientometrics that came to the attention earlier this year of Jeffrey Beall. Beall, a research librarian and scourge of the predatory publishing world, had previously posted on his blog about his frustrations with the journal’s seeming indifference to the word … Continue reading The “sins and virtues of authors span a rather colorful palette”: New editor yanks plagiarized paper

“I never manipulated data”: Förster defends actions in open letter

Jens Förster, the Dutch social psychologist accused of misconduct, has posted an open letter on his lab’s website in which he denies wrongdoing. The letter, in English and dated May 11, offers a detailed rebuttal to the investigation’s conclusions. It also offers a rationale for Förster’s decision not to post his data on the Internet. … Continue reading “I never manipulated data”: Förster defends actions in open letter

Weekend reads: Shocking suicide statistics, scientists say they’re over-regulated, the real @FakeElsevier

Another busy week at Retraction Watch. Here’s what was happening elsewhere on the web:

Weekend reads: Retraction Watch on NPR; “hysteria” over replication; when a paywall might be a good thing

It’s been another busy week at Retraction Watch, mostly because of the unfolding Jens Förster story. Here’s what was happening elsewhere on the web:

Anatomy of an inquiry: The report that led to the Jens Förster investigation

We have obtained a copy of the report that led to the investigation of Jens Förster, the social psychologist at the University of Amsterdam, which is calling for the retraction of a 2012 article by the researcher for manipulated data. As we reported earlier, Förster has denied any wrongdoing in the matter.