The retraction files: Blowing the whistle on suspect science

Recent articles

Headshot of Clara Hill.

Co-director of closed psychotherapy clinic retires amid retractions

A dozen papers have been retracted so far, and six more are planned.

By Calli McMurray
23 August 2023 | 3 min read

Exclusive: Shake-up at top psychiatric institute following suicide in clinical trial

The New York State Psychiatric Institute in New York City is undergoing an audit and a change in leadership following a suicide that occurred during one of its clinical trials.

By Brendan Borrell
31 July 2023 | 6 min listen
A hand holds up a magnifying glass that casts a bright yellow light.

‘Troublesome pattern’: More papers from heads of shuttered clinic under investigation

A total of 17 studies have already been retracted or are slated for retraction over issues with participant consent.

By Calli McMurray
28 July 2023 | 3 min read
Six grabber tools descend on a stack of white papers.

Exclusive: Investigation prompts retraction of 17 studies from now-shuttered clinic

The University of Maryland found the papers included some data without participant consent.

By Calli McMurray
14 July 2023 | 3 min read
A wadded up piece of red paper sits next to a wastebasket filled with similar pieces of crumped red paper.

Controversial ‘cost of autism’ paper retracted

The journal’s decision comes two years after Spectrum covered backlash from researchers over the study.

By Calli McMurray
13 June 2023 | 3 min read
Dorothy Bishop stands in a dark room wearing a turquoise shirt.

Retraction, She Wrote: Dorothy Bishop’s life after research

A renowned researcher’s eye for detail has given her a second career and a new following.

By Shaena Montanari
12 June 2023 | 12 min listen
A stack of papers sits on a blue table.

Neuroscience journal retracts 13 papers at once

The papers were flagged by a method that has now been called into question.

By Niko McCarty
22 May 2023 | 6 min listen
Photograph of a white man in a green sweater sitting on a yellow sofa near a large window.

Flawed protocol for levodopa clinical trial brings retractions

The retracted studies mar hope for the drug’s use in depression.

By Brendan Borrell
9 May 2023 | 5 min listen
Headshot of Johnny Matson, former editor-in-chief of Research in Developmental Disabilities and Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Prolific autism researcher has two dozen papers retracted

Elsevier’s retractions focus on peer review and conflicts of interest.

By Shaena Montanari
2 February 2023 | 6 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

Double-duty neurons in primary olfactory cortex pick up on more than just scent

The cells recognize not only odors, such as bananas and black licorice—but also images and words associated with those smells, according to single-neuron recordings from 17 people.

By Angie Voyles Askham
9 October 2024 | 7 min read

How neuroscience comics add KA-POW! to the field: Q&A with Kanaka Rajan

The artistic approach can help explain complex ideas frame by frame without diluting the science, Rajan says.

By Olivia Gieger
9 October 2024 | 7 min read

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