Caught Our Notice: Researcher who sued PubPeer commenter up to 21 retractions

Titles: 1) Notch-1 induces Epithelial-mesenchymal transition consistent with cancer stem cell phenotype in pancreatic cancer cells 2) Sensitization of squamous cell carcinoma to cisplatin induced killing by natural agents What Caught Our Attention: Regular readers will be familiar with the saga involving Fazlul Sarkar and PubPeer: In 2014, Sarkar sued anonymous commenters on the site, claiming … Continue reading Caught Our Notice: Researcher who sued PubPeer commenter up to 21 retractions

Author under fire on PubPeer issues puzzling correction to chem paper

A researcher whose work has been heavily questioned on PubPeer has corrected a figure on a 2015 paper in Talanta — but the text of the correction doesn’t match the actual changes. Recently, Rashmi Madhuri at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) in Dhanbad corrected a 2015 paper about a diagnostic sensor that uses … Continue reading Author under fire on PubPeer issues puzzling correction to chem paper

Caught Our Notice: Researcher who sued PubPeer commenter draws 19th retraction  

Title: Increased Ras GTPase activity is regulated by miRNAs that can be attenuated by CDF treatment in pancreatic cancer cells What Caught Our Attention: We’ve been following cancer scientist Fazlul Sarkar for years, as he (unsuccessfully) sought to expose the identity of a PubPeer commenter who he believes cost him a job offer. In November … Continue reading Caught Our Notice: Researcher who sued PubPeer commenter draws 19th retraction  

New feature aims to draw journals into post-publication comments on PubPeer

When a paper is challenged on PubPeer, is a journal paying attention? A new feature recently unveiled by the site makes it easier to find out. The Journal Dashboards allow journals to see what people are saying about the papers they published, and allows readers to know which journals are particularly responsive to community feedback. … Continue reading New feature aims to draw journals into post-publication comments on PubPeer

Journal flags four papers by researcher in Spain over figure issues noted on PubPeer

A journal has issued expression of concerns (EOCs) for four papers after a concerned reader notified the editors of issues in several figures. According to the EOCs, the Journal of Cell Science (JCS) discussed the concerns with the corresponding author, José Ignacio Rodriguez-Crespo, and subsequently notified his institution, Complutense University of Madrid. Last year, all … Continue reading Journal flags four papers by researcher in Spain over figure issues noted on PubPeer

Meet PubPeer 2.0: New version of post-publication peer review site launches today

Since it launched in 2012, PubPeer has grown to become a standard part of the scientific lexicon, and its numerous post-publication discussions have led to more editorial notices than we can count. But it’s also faced its share of critics, including a scientist who took the site to court to unmask commenters he alleged had … Continue reading Meet PubPeer 2.0: New version of post-publication peer review site launches today

PubPeer wins appeal of court ruling to unmask commenters

PubPeer is having a good day. In a new ruling, a trio of judges on the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a 2015 decision mandating the site reveal the identity of anonymous commenters after a scientist sued them, claiming they cost him a job offer. The judges stated that Fazlul Sarkar, the scientist suing the commenters, … Continue reading PubPeer wins appeal of court ruling to unmask commenters

PubPeer dealt blow in lawsuit against anonymous commenters

PubPeer has suffered a setback in an ongoing lawsuit filed by a scientist who alleges the site’s anonymous commenters cost him a job. This week, judges in the Court of Appeals in Michigan denied the request of the American Civil Liberties Union — which is representing PubPeer — to include an investigative report as part … Continue reading PubPeer dealt blow in lawsuit against anonymous commenters

Scientist embroiled with PubPeer engaged in “widespread research misconduct,” investigation finds

An investigation into a scientist suing PubPeer commenters over criticisms of his work has concluded that the researcher engaged in widespread misconduct and should retract 42 papers. The investigation report by Wayne State University, obtained by The Scientist, reveals that Fazlul Sarkar created a research environment that encouraged productivity but cut corners when it came to … Continue reading Scientist embroiled with PubPeer engaged in “widespread research misconduct,” investigation finds

Sarkar vs. John Doe: What happened at this week’s hearing involving PubPeer

On Tuesday, lawyers representing both sides of the ongoing suit filed by a scientist against PubPeer commenters appeared in court, alleging their criticisms of his work cost him a new job at the University of Mississippi. In the case described as “FAZLUL SARKAR V JOHN DOE,” lawyers representing PubPeer, Sarkar, and the anonymous commenter at the heart of … Continue reading Sarkar vs. John Doe: What happened at this week’s hearing involving PubPeer