Search Results for: author ban

Gold nanoparticle paper crushed by “deliberate and fraudulent use of data”

Biotechnology Letters has retracted a paper on a new gene delivery technique due to “the deliberate and fraudulent use of data in the paper that had previously appeared in other papers of these two authors.” The journal’s Editor in Chief Colin Ratledge told us that someone tipped him off that one of the authors, University of Kalyani microbiologist Keka Sarkar, … Continue reading Gold nanoparticle paper crushed by “deliberate and fraudulent use of data”

“Gap in the proof” deletes math paper

The author of a paper on the properties of a vector space is retracting it from The Bulletin of the Australian Mathematical Society after a “false application” of a theorem led to a “gap in the proof.” Here’s the abstract of “On a Weakly Uniformly Rotund Dual of a Banach Space,” in full: Every Banach space with separable … Continue reading “Gap in the proof” deletes math paper

Fruit fly paper retracted when gene turns out not to code for a protein as claimed

The Journal of Insect Science is retracting a paper on the genetics of a fruit fly after discovering one of the genes the authors sequenced doesn’t appear to code for a protein. The paper, “Molecular phylogeny and identification of the peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata, established in Egypt” was published in 2011, and compared sequences of the Egyptian species to … Continue reading Fruit fly paper retracted when gene turns out not to code for a protein as claimed

Four papers by former Wayne State researcher retracted after ORI report

Retractions have been published for four papers authored by former Wayne State University professor, Teresita L. Briones, after an April ORI report found evidence of misconduct in the articles. Investigators found that Briones had “intentionally, knowingly, and recklessly engaged in research misconduct by falsifying and/or fabricating data.” They flagged five papers and three grant applications that … Continue reading Four papers by former Wayne State researcher retracted after ORI report

Canadian researchers in legal battle over investigation object to third retraction

A third retraction — and a notice of concern — have emerged from the investigation into a husband and wife research team at the University of Toronto that found evidence of faked images and duplicated data. The problem, according to the latest retraction note for Sylvia Asa and Shereen Ezzat, in the Journal of Clinical Investigation: Portions of the … Continue reading Canadian researchers in legal battle over investigation object to third retraction

Plague or anthrax on the subway? Think again, says now-corrected study

Authors of a widely covered study that documented traces of plague and anthrax on surfaces across New York City have revised the paper after public health officials challenged their interpretations of the data. It’s hard to overestimate the attention these findings received when first published. “Bubonic plague found in NYC subway,” wrote The Daily Beast. “Your … Continue reading Plague or anthrax on the subway? Think again, says now-corrected study

Golden rice paper pulled after judge rules for journal

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition is retracting a paper that showed genetically engineered rice serves as an effective vitamin A supplement after a Massachusetts judge denied the first author’s motion for an injunction against the publisher. The journal announced plans to retract the paper last year following allegations that the paper contained ethical mis-steps, such … Continue reading Golden rice paper pulled after judge rules for journal

UPitt investigation brings total retraction count to four for pair of cancer researchers

An official inquiry by the University of Pittsburgh has led to two more retractions for a pair of cancer researchers, Tong Wu and Chang Han. By our count, the pair now have four retractions under their belt, all the result of the university investigation. The Journal of Biological Chemistry published the notices earlier this month, … Continue reading UPitt investigation brings total retraction count to four for pair of cancer researchers

Weekend reads: Fame bias at journals; retractions as good news; hoarding data as bad news

This week at Retraction Watch featured the retraction of a widely covered paper on marriage and illness, and the resignation of a high-profile lab head in Toronto. Here’s what was happening elsewhere:

“To our horror”: Widely reported study suggesting divorce is more likely when wives fall ill gets axed

A widely reported finding that the risk of divorce increases when wives fall ill — but not when men do — is invalid, thanks to a short string of mistaken coding that negates the original conclusions, published in the March issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behavior. The paper, “In Sickness and in … Continue reading “To our horror”: Widely reported study suggesting divorce is more likely when wives fall ill gets axed