Retraction Watch
@retractionwatch.com
A project of The Center For Scientific Integrity https://centerforscientificintegrity.org/
Daily newsletter http://eepurl.com/bNRlUn
Database http://retractiondatabase.org
Tips [email protected] (better than @ replies)
Daily newsletter http://eepurl.com/bNRlUn
Database http://retractiondatabase.org
Tips [email protected] (better than @ replies)
Weekend reads: Stages of academic ‘enshittification’; Alzheimer’s trial sites faking data, say drug developers; Bill Ackman says he funded Gino defense
Weekend reads: Stages of academic ‘enshittification’; Alzheimer’s trial sites faking data, say drug developers; Bill Ackman says he funded Gino defense
If your week flew by — we know ours did — catch up here with what you might have missed. The week at Retraction Watch featured: Court: University disclosure of researcher’s misconduct did not…
retractionwatch.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Weekend reads: Stages of academic ‘enshittification’; Alzheimer’s trial sites faking data, say drug developers; Bill Ackman says he funded Gino defense
The Retraction Watch Mass Resignations List now contains 50 entries.
The Retraction Watch Mass Resignations List
via Flickr In 2023 alone, editors of eight journals on topics ranging from mathematics to biogeography all quit at once because of disputes with their publishing companies. Mass resignations …
retractionwatch.com
January 9, 2026 at 1:50 PM
The Retraction Watch Mass Resignations List now contains 50 entries.
Elsevier has pulled a dozen papers by a finance professor in Ireland who oversaw the review of the articles and made “the final decision” to publish them in three journals he edited, according to the retraction notices.
Finance professor in Ireland loses 12 papers in journals he edited
Brian Lucey Elsevier has pulled a dozen papers by a finance professor in Ireland who oversaw the review of the articles and made “the final decision” to publish them in three journals he edited, ac…
retractionwatch.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Elsevier has pulled a dozen papers by a finance professor in Ireland who oversaw the review of the articles and made “the final decision” to publish them in three journals he edited, according to the retraction notices.
The flagship journal of the Royal Historical Society has retracted a paper positing that British and Canadian soldiers committed “scores” of prisoner executions against German forces during World War I. The move followed an investigation for plagiarism.
History journal retracts paper about killing of German WWI POWs
The flagship journal of the Royal Historical Society has retracted a paper positing that British and Canadian soldiers committed “scores” of prisoner executions against German forces during World W…
retractionwatch.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:29 PM
The flagship journal of the Royal Historical Society has retracted a paper positing that British and Canadian soldiers committed “scores” of prisoner executions against German forces during World War I. The move followed an investigation for plagiarism.
Editors of a materials journal have resigned six years after the title was purchased by a publisher based in Canada, claiming the company “multiplied the number of publications while increasing prices at the expense of quality.”
‘I have never been asked to review anything’: Editors resign from materials journal
Editors of a materials journal have resigned six years after the title was purchased by a publisher based in Canada, claiming the company “multiplied the number of publications while increasing pri…
retractionwatch.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:17 PM
Editors of a materials journal have resigned six years after the title was purchased by a publisher based in Canada, claiming the company “multiplied the number of publications while increasing prices at the expense of quality.”
Khajuria’s academy raises concerns about promises of publication for a price, and Avance Innovation’s signature surgical device, while marketed for humans, has apparently been tested on only six rats and no people in a study that lacks internal consistency.
U.K. surgeon and inventor’s endeavors include unreproducible data and guaranteed publications for a price
Ankur Khajuria offers a “career-changing course” on conducting reviews, which he markets on LinkedIn to medical students and doctors. (source) “Research will help you get ahead,” Britis…
retractionwatch.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Khajuria’s academy raises concerns about promises of publication for a price, and Avance Innovation’s signature surgical device, while marketed for humans, has apparently been tested on only six rats and no people in a study that lacks internal consistency.
The website of the foundation Jalil founded, which publishes several journals, hosts conferences and offers editorial services, also referred to him as Al-Attabi until recently. But after we contacted him, the name of the foundation’s CEO and owner changed to “Mustafa Tareq Shanshool" on the site.
Dogged by retractions, Iraqi researcher and publisher uses a different name
Abduladheem Turki Jalil Researchers change the name they publish under for many reasons, most of which aren’t fodder for a Retraction Watch story. Trying to skirt a publishing ban is one that is. A…
retractionwatch.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:58 AM
The website of the foundation Jalil founded, which publishes several journals, hosts conferences and offers editorial services, also referred to him as Al-Attabi until recently. But after we contacted him, the name of the foundation’s CEO and owner changed to “Mustafa Tareq Shanshool" on the site.
An appellate court has dismissed a legal challenge by a cancer researcher against her former institution, ruling the university’s misconduct investigation and disclosure process did not violate her right to due process.
Court: University disclosure of researcher’s misconduct did not violate due process
Flavia Pichiorri An appellate court has dismissed a legal challenge by a cancer researcher against her former institution, ruling the university’s misconduct investigation and disclosure process di…
retractionwatch.com
January 5, 2026 at 11:58 AM
An appellate court has dismissed a legal challenge by a cancer researcher against her former institution, ruling the university’s misconduct investigation and disclosure process did not violate her right to due process.
Weekend reads: Evaluating the benefits of open science, a misconduct investigation in Korea, and what we lose in outsourcing reviews to AI
Weekend reads: Evaluating the benefits of open science, a misconduct investigation in Korea, and what we lose in outsourcing reviews to AI
Happy 2026! We’re excited to bring you the first Weekend Reads of the new year. The week at Retraction Watch featured: The BMJ retracts clinical trial for ‘severe’ discrepancies in rand…
retractionwatch.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Weekend reads: Evaluating the benefits of open science, a misconduct investigation in Korea, and what we lose in outsourcing reviews to AI
This time, thanks to a public records request, we’ve confirmed there was in fact a deluge at the researcher’s lab.
Data lost in a flood? The excuse checks out.
Josh Sorenson/Pexels When two recent retraction notices mentioned data were “destroyed in a flood,” we were skeptical. We’ve seen water take the blame for missing data before. In 2019, we wrote ab…
retractionwatch.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:54 PM
This time, thanks to a public records request, we’ve confirmed there was in fact a deluge at the researcher’s lab.
"Productivity metrics and academic rankings have created a market addicted to H-index and citation counts. When you look at it in the light of day, the problem is evident, but publishers avoid acknowledging their role in the productivist system."
www1.folha.uol.com.br
December 31, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"Productivity metrics and academic rankings have created a market addicted to H-index and citation counts. When you look at it in the light of day, the problem is evident, but publishers avoid acknowledging their role in the productivist system."
Cheers to 2025: In which Retraction Watch turned 15, and The Center For Scientific Integrity really became a center
Cheers to 2025: In which Retraction Watch turned 15, and The Center For Scientific Integrity really became a center
We always enjoy our annual review of the year at Retraction Watch, and 2025 is no exception. But we’re more excited about what lies ahead than what we already accomplished. We’re on track for…
retractionwatch.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Cheers to 2025: In which Retraction Watch turned 15, and The Center For Scientific Integrity really became a center
The BMJ has retracted a paper on a clinical trial of different methods of vascular access during cardiac arrest after an expert raised concerns about the randomization in the trial.
The BMJ retracts clinical trial for ‘severe’ discrepancies in randomization
The BMJ has retracted a paper on a clinical trial of different methods of vascular access during cardiac arrest after an expert raised concerns about the randomization in the trial. The study…
retractionwatch.com
December 29, 2025 at 1:24 PM
The BMJ has retracted a paper on a clinical trial of different methods of vascular access during cardiac arrest after an expert raised concerns about the randomization in the trial.
Weekend reads: Court tosses out challenge to ORI funding ban; prof steps down after AI citation ‘scandal’; senator seeks journal’s COVID-19 manuscripts
Weekend reads: Court tosses out challenge to ORI funding ban; prof steps down after AI citation ‘scandal’; senator seeks journal’s COVID-19 manuscripts
This is our last Weekend Reads of 2025. Our annual wrap-up at Retraction Watch will come next week, but we’re already looking forward to a new year. If you value the work we do – the in-depth repor…
retractionwatch.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Weekend reads: Court tosses out challenge to ORI funding ban; prof steps down after AI citation ‘scandal’; senator seeks journal’s COVID-19 manuscripts
The Retraction Watch Hijacked Journal Checker, developed and maintained by @abalkina.bsky.social, now has 400 entries.
The Retraction Watch Hijacked Journal Checker now has 400 entries
Sham journals that mimic real ones can fool unsuspecting authors who are submitting a manuscript, researchers looking for references for papers — and even indexing services aiming to be comprehensi…
retractionwatch.com
December 26, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The Retraction Watch Hijacked Journal Checker, developed and maintained by @abalkina.bsky.social, now has 400 entries.
A federal court has terminated a former researcher’s lawsuit against the U.S. government agency that barred her from receiving federal funds following an agency investigation that lasted 10 years.
Court tosses out researcher’s bid to overturn funding ban
A federal court has terminated a former researcher’s lawsuit against the U.S. government agency that barred her from receiving federal funds following an agency investigation that lasted 10 years. …
retractionwatch.com
December 23, 2025 at 6:59 PM
A federal court has terminated a former researcher’s lawsuit against the U.S. government agency that barred her from receiving federal funds following an agency investigation that lasted 10 years.
Earlier this year, Klaus Heese, a professor at Hanyang University in Seoul, noticed a review article he’d worked on had finally been published. But his name wasn’t on it, nor was that of another scientist who had also been involved in preparing the manuscript.
Professor in India adds coauthors who ‘kindly covered’ publication fee, removes others
Earlier this year, Klaus Heese, a professor at Hanyang University in Seoul, noticed a review article he’d worked on had finally been published. But his name wasn’t on it, nor was that of another sc…
retractionwatch.com
December 22, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Earlier this year, Klaus Heese, a professor at Hanyang University in Seoul, noticed a review article he’d worked on had finally been published. But his name wasn’t on it, nor was that of another scientist who had also been involved in preparing the manuscript.
Weekend reads: ‘How long does it take to kill zombie papers?’; ‘The H-Index of Suspicion’; former Springer editors launch new journal
Weekend reads: ‘How long does it take to kill zombie papers?’; ‘The H-Index of Suspicion’; former Springer editors launch new journal
Dear RW readers, we look forward to wrapping up the week with Weekend Reads. If you enjoy it too, please consider showing your support with a tax-deductible donation. Retraction Watch and the Retra…
retractionwatch.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Weekend reads: ‘How long does it take to kill zombie papers?’; ‘The H-Index of Suspicion’; former Springer editors launch new journal
Exclusive: A World Bank report on obesity trends with at least 14 fake references in the text has been removed from the website and is being reviewed by the organization following a Retraction Watch inquiry.
World Bank report ‘removed for review’ of nonexistent references after Retraction Watch inquiry
A World Bank report on obesity trends with at least 14 fake references in the text has been removed from the website and is being reviewed by the organization following a Retraction Watch inquiry.&…
retractionwatch.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Exclusive: A World Bank report on obesity trends with at least 14 fake references in the text has been removed from the website and is being reviewed by the organization following a Retraction Watch inquiry.
The U.S. Office of Research Integrity has been relatively quiet in 2025, releasing just two misconduct findings with only two weeks remaining in the year — the fewest the office has released since at least 2006. ORI typically releases an average of about 10 findings a year.
ORI has released just two misconduct findings this year
The U.S. Office of Research Integrity has been relatively quiet in 2025, releasing just two misconduct findings with only two weeks remaining in the year — the fewest the office has released since …
retractionwatch.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
The U.S. Office of Research Integrity has been relatively quiet in 2025, releasing just two misconduct findings with only two weeks remaining in the year — the fewest the office has released since at least 2006. ORI typically releases an average of about 10 findings a year.
One journal editor in chief called the results “concerning,” while another thought the analysis was looking for problems on purpose.
‘Elite cohort’ of biz school scholars and editors scratch each others’ backs, study finds
Image: Mohamed Hassan/Pixabay Academics who publish frequently in two top business journals often have prior working relationships with the editors who handle their papers, according to a new analy…
retractionwatch.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:17 PM
One journal editor in chief called the results “concerning,” while another thought the analysis was looking for problems on purpose.
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has settled a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act, admitting researchers used images and data that were “misrepresented and/or duplicated." As part of the agreement, @sholtodavid.bsky.social will receive $2.63 million, or 17.5 percent of the $15 million settlement.
Dana-Farber settles suit alleging image manipulation for $15 million
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has settled a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act, admitting researchers used images and data that were “misrepresented and/or duplicated” in support of grant appl…
retractionwatch.com
December 17, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has settled a lawsuit filed under the False Claims Act, admitting researchers used images and data that were “misrepresented and/or duplicated." As part of the agreement, @sholtodavid.bsky.social will receive $2.63 million, or 17.5 percent of the $15 million settlement.
Three years after he was let off the hook by a government commission, a former university vice chancellor in Pakistan is facing sanctions for plagiarizing a student thesis in a paper from 2020, Retraction Watch has learned.
Exclusive: In reversal, former vice chancellor in Pakistan who was let off hook for plagiarism faces sanctions
Muhammad Suleman Tahir Three years after he was let off the hook by a government commission, a former university vice chancellor in Pakistan is facing sanctions for plagiarizing a student thesis in…
retractionwatch.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Three years after he was let off the hook by a government commission, a former university vice chancellor in Pakistan is facing sanctions for plagiarizing a student thesis in a paper from 2020, Retraction Watch has learned.
Weekend reads: Springer Nature retracts papers using ‘bonkers’ dataset; preprint server welcomes AI authors; ethics editors’ COI disclosures ‘insufficient’
Weekend reads: Springer Nature retracts papers using ‘bonkers’ dataset; preprint server welcomes AI authors; ethics editors’ COI disclosures ‘insufficient’
Dear RW readers, we look forward to wrapping up the week with Weekend Reads. If you enjoy it too, please consider showing your support with a tax-deductible donation. I support retraction wat…
retractionwatch.com
December 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Weekend reads: Springer Nature retracts papers using ‘bonkers’ dataset; preprint server welcomes AI authors; ethics editors’ COI disclosures ‘insufficient’
A Cell Press journal quietly removed part of a funding statement from a paper related to gender-affirming hormone therapy that the authors say was included in error. Experts called the move “worrying.”
Journal removes funding statement from hormone therapy paper without issuing correction
A Cell Press journal quietly removed part of a funding statement from a paper related to gender-affirming hormone therapy that the authors say was included in error. Experts called the move “worryi…
retractionwatch.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:23 PM
A Cell Press journal quietly removed part of a funding statement from a paper related to gender-affirming hormone therapy that the authors say was included in error. Experts called the move “worrying.”