New Scientist’s investigation of research at the University of Minnesota’s Stem Cell Institute led to a finding of misconduct against one researcher, the retraction of two scientific papers, and corrections to several more. With Eugenie Reich. Selected articles:
Doubts Over Stem Cell Images Prompt New Inquiry. New Scientist, August 2009. Lightning never strikes again in the same place? Tell that to the University of Minnesota, as it looks into more problematic papers. Article as PDF.
Briefing: Anatomy Of A Stem Cell Controversy. New Scientist, October 2008. New Scientist explains why the group’s work was important, looks at where the findings stand now, and asks: what are the implications for the rest of stem cell biology?
Stem Cell Researcher Guilty Of Falsifying Data. New Scientist, October 2008. A former member of one of the highest-profile teams in stem cell biology is found guilty of misconduct, and the university asks for a paper to be retracted. Article as PDF.
Fresh Questions On Stem Cell Findings. New Scientist, March 2007. For the second time, we find apparently duplicated data being used to describe results from different experiments. Article as PDF.
Flawed Stem Cell Data Withdrawn. New Scientist, February 2007. An initial inquiry finds problems with a paper describing adult cells that seemed to hold the same promise as embryonic stem cells. Article as PDF.