Retraction

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Illustration of a lab with a smoking crater in the middle of the floor.

The Transmitter’s favorite features of 2024

Our chosen stories include tales about research misconduct in the lab, a neuroscientist working at the end of the world, and the passing of neuroanatomy’s “great-grandfather,” Harvey Karten.

By The Transmitter
23 December 2024 | 2 min read
Bret Rutherford.

Former Columbia University psychiatrist committed research misconduct, says federal watchdog

Bret Rutherford, whose research was halted following a suicide in a clinical trial, falsely reported participant eligibility, according to the U.S. Office of Research Integrity.

By Brendan Borrell, Ellie Kincaid
8 October 2024 | 3 min read
Illustration of a lab with a smoking crater in the middle of the floor.

A scientific fraud. An investigation. A lab in recovery.

Science is built on trust. What happens when someone destroys it?

By Calli McMurray
4 October 2024 | 27 min listen
Photograph of Thomas Sudhof with his hand on his chin.

Second paper from lab of Nobel Prize winner to be retracted

The paper was corrected in May, but comments on PubPeer spurred further analysis.

By Shaena Montanari
26 August 2024 | 5 min read
Illustration of a red pencil with a white eraser that is being used against a white sheet of paper.

Task swap prompts data do-over for autism auditory perception study

The investigators retracted their paper after other researchers pointed out the error; the original team plans to redo the experiment, according to one author.

By Shaena Montanari
22 August 2024 | 2 min read
Image of a series of red sticky notes protruding from a stack of white paper.

Faked results lead to retraction of high-profile cancer neuroscience study

An investigation found that the experiments required more animals than the scientists had purchased.

By Dalmeet Singh Chawla
18 June 2024 | 4 min read

Anti-vax blogger retracts critique of study that debunked vaccination-autism link

The commentary contained misguided criticisms of the study’s statistical methods, the lead investigator says.

By Calli McMurray
29 May 2024 | 3 min read
Image of a red rectangle against a gray background.

FDA describes ‘objectionable conditions’ at New York State Psychiatric Institute

The facility’s institutional review board failed to report a 2021 incident and “serious and ongoing noncompliance” by a principal investigator, according to a letter released by the federal agency this week.

By Brendan Borrell
2 April 2024 | 6 min listen
Two red pencils form a letter X against a surf green background.

Nobel Prize winner Thomas Südhof retracts study

The retraction follows an editorial expression of concern that the journal applied to the paper in October, seven months after it was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

By Shaena Montanari
7 March 2024 | 3 min listen
A stack of papers with red tape.

Autism journal retracts speech-recognition paper, pauses special issue

The journal’s publisher flagged problems in 11 papers that were part of a special issue on assistive technology in special education.

By Calli McMurray
29 February 2024 | 2 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Who funds your basic neuroscience research? Help The Transmitter compile a list of funding sources

We want to hear from you about the sources of funding for your research.

By Claudia López Lloreda
28 March 2025 | 1 min read
University of Puerto Rico building.

The future of neuroscience research at U.S. minority-serving institutions is in danger

Cuts to federally funded programs present an existential crisis for the University of Puerto Rico’s rich neuroscience community and for research at minority-serving institutions everywhere.

By Carmen S. Maldonado-Vlaar
28 March 2025 | 5 min read
Astrocytes in a mouse brain.

Unexpected astrocyte gene flips image of brain’s ‘stalwart sentinels’

The genetic marker upends the accepted orientation of non-star-like astrocytes in the glia limitans superficialis.

By Lauren Schenkman
28 March 2025 | 5 min read