WIKIMEDIA, BRIAN TURNERAfter more than two months of discussion, continued reports from scientists about their inability to replicate the results (with the exception of a reported success), and accusations of image duplication, among other issues, an investigation led by officials at Japan’s RIKEN research center yesterday (April 1) concluded that scientific misconduct was at play in the publication of stimulus-triggered acquisition of pluripotency (STAP). Specifically, the committee found evidence of data falsification and fabrication, but it did not call for the papers to be retracted. Such a move, along with any other disciplinary actions deemed necessary, will be determined by a separate committee.
Nevertheless, lead author Haruko Obokata of the RIKEN Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, Japan, continues to stand by her team’s results. “I am filled with feelings of indignation and surprise,” Obokata, who noted that she intends to appeal the judgment, said in a statement.
Early suspicions of foul play arose when researchers began to point out—both on their blogs and on the site PubPeer—that some of the images appeared manipulated and that some of the text seemed to be plagiarized. In response, RIKEN put together a six-person investigating committee to take a closer look at the allegations. An interim report released by the committee last month detailed specific problems, and the final report, released yesterday, concluded that two of these problems constituted research misconduct: ...
