Search Results for: randomized

“Fabricated results” retract JAMA clinical trial, plus a sub-analysis of the data

A JAMA clinical trial that suggested a blood pressure drug could help patients increase their physical fitness, and a sub-analysis of those data, have been retracted after “an admission of fabricated results” by the first author on both papers. The three-year clinical trial was published in JAMA in 2013.  It was retracted this morning. The trial found … Continue reading “Fabricated results” retract JAMA clinical trial, plus a sub-analysis of the data

Cancer drug paper nulled by “statistical errors”

Researchers have pulled a paper about a drug used to treat pancreatic tumors due to “statistical errors.” The 2014 paper suggested a drug that appears to treat pancreatic tumors also works in Chinese patients. We’re not exactly sure what went wrong with “A randomized phase II study of everolimus for advanced pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in Chinese patients,” however, because … Continue reading Cancer drug paper nulled by “statistical errors”

“Exactly the same clinical study” published six times

A group of researchers conducted a clinical trial on hundreds of hypertensive patients. Then, they published the results…six times. The “nearly identical” papers came to our attention via a retraction in Inflammation. Editor in chief Bruce Cronstein explained how he learned of the mass duplication: The editors were contacted en masse by somebody doing a Cochrane Review … Continue reading “Exactly the same clinical study” published six times

“Major overlap” forces retraction of osteoporosis paper

The Journal of Advanced Nursing has retracted a 2006 paper by a group of authors in Hong Kong who lifted much of the text from a previous article of theirs in a competing publication. The article, “Osteoporosis prevention education programme for women,” came from Moon Fai Chan and C.Y. Ko in the School of Nursing … Continue reading “Major overlap” forces retraction of osteoporosis paper

JAMA vitamin-hip fracture study earns Expression of Concern for integrity issues

JAMA has issued an Expression of Concern about a 2005 study of whether two different types of vitamin B could prevent broken hips in people who’d suffered strokes. The original study concluded: In this Japanese population with a high baseline fracture risk, combined treatment with folate and vitamin B12 is safe and effective in reducing the … Continue reading JAMA vitamin-hip fracture study earns Expression of Concern for integrity issues

Clinical trial of Achilles tendon therapy retracted for not actually being a clinical trial

The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery has retracted a 2012 paper because of ethical violations, initially flagged by the journal in 2013. The study, which examined the use of autologous cell therapy in treating Achilles tendinosis, claimed in its abstract to have “conducted a randomized, double-blind study on forty Achilles tendons in thirty-two patients.” … Continue reading Clinical trial of Achilles tendon therapy retracted for not actually being a clinical trial

When should a paper be retracted? A tale from the obesity literature

In our line of work, we see it all — mega-corrections that don’t quite rise to the level of retraction, letters to the editor that point out seemingly fatal flaws in papers that remain untouched, and studies retracted for what seem like minor reasons. It can make you wonder what makes a paper worthy of … Continue reading When should a paper be retracted? A tale from the obesity literature

Urology researcher in Iran up to six retractions

A urologist in Iran has lost three papers in BJU International, bringing his retraction count to a half-dozen. In December 2013, we reported on three retractions by Mohammad Reza Safarinejad. None of those notices, about papers related to incontinence and erectile dysfunction, made the reasons for retraction very clear. After that post ran, Safarinejad told us … Continue reading Urology researcher in Iran up to six retractions

Second exercise study retracted in four-paper pileup

We recently wrote about three papers on heart health and exercise that came under fire for reporting the same trial in three different ways. Actually, make that four ways (so far). The Wiley journal Nursing and Health Sciences has retracted a fourth paper from the group, saying the “main study” was “previously published.” The notice … Continue reading Second exercise study retracted in four-paper pileup

David Vaux: Nature’s decision to add double-blind peer review is good, but could be better

David Vaux, a cell biologist at the Walter + Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne, explains how Nature could do more to remove bias from the peer review process. He previously wrote about his decision to retract a paper. Last week, Nature announced that they are to offer authors of papers submitted to … Continue reading David Vaux: Nature’s decision to add double-blind peer review is good, but could be better