Retraction

Recent articles

Brain scan with visual noise and glitch effects.

Authors retract Science paper on controversial fMRI method

Several known but usually negligible MRI artifacts contribute to the neuronal activity signal picked up by the method, according to a preprint the authors posted earlier this month.

By Calli McMurray
25 September 2025 | 6 min read
Eraser sitting on a stack of papers.

Alzheimer’s paper retracted over apparent image duplication

The editors of Neurobiology of Disease, which published the paper, also questioned how the study’s experimental protocols received ethical approval.

By Lauren Schneider
23 September 2025 | 4 min read
A red pencil sits on top of a stack of white papers.

Contested paper on vaccines, autism in rats retracted by journal

The editor-in-chief cited “inconsistencies in the number of subjects” as the reason for the retraction.

By Marta Hill
7 August 2025 | 5 min listen
Research image of duplicated data in a now-retracted paper.

Alzheimer’s scientist forced to retract paper during his own replication effort

Gary Dunbar, a neuroscientist at Central Michigan University, was attempting to redo the 2020 paper after a collaborator admitted to using flawed data in the original work.

By Brendan Borrell
18 July 2025 | 4 min read
Research image from a retracted paper.

Nature retracts paper on novel brain cell type against authors’ wishes

A 2022 paper was retracted after an independent team of researchers reanalyzed the data and questioned its validity.

By Shaena Montanari
9 July 2025 | 4 min listen
One stack of white papers with several red sheets in it sits next to a stack of red papers.

Exclusive: Issues with dozens of papers prompt inquiry into prolific stroke researcher

Two of John H. Zhang’s papers have been retracted, 19 have corrections, and 27 have expressions of concern.

By Calli McMurray
18 June 2025 | 4 min read
Crumpled pieces of paper form an X.

Psychedelics meta-analysis retracted after authors request ‘significant changes’

While working on a similar analysis last year, an independent researcher spotted inconsistencies in the now-retracted paper.

By Marta Hill
11 June 2025 | 2 min read
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

Explore more from The Transmitter

Developing human fetus.

Gene-activity map of developing brain reveals new clues about autism’s sex bias

Boys and girls may be vulnerable to different genetic changes, which could help explain why the condition is more common in boys despite linked variants appearing more often in girls.

By Giorgia Guglielmi
16 October 2025 | 6 min listen
Research image of astrocytic activation in mice.

Engrams in amygdala lean on astrocytes to solidify memories

Disrupting the astrocyte-neuronal dynamic in mice destabilizes their memory of fear conditioning.

By Lauren Schneider
15 October 2025 | 6 min listen
Research image of human cortical organoids.

Parsing phenotypes in people with shared autism-linked variants; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 13 October.

By Jill Adams
14 October 2025 | 2 min read

privacy consent banner

Privacy Preference

We use cookies to provide you with the best online experience. By clicking “Accept All,” you help us understand how our site is used and enhance its performance. You can change your choice at any time. To learn more, please visit our Privacy Policy.