EPISODE 9: Retraction Action - Trusting Science and Academic Dishonesty

EPISODE 9: RETRACTION ACTION

Join hosts Mark and Brady in Episode 9 of our podcast as they delve into the intriguing world of scientific retraction and academic fraud. The discussion begins with a recent incident involving a reprint of a Lancet article on 'long Covid,' which serves as a launchpad to explore famous cases of academic reprinting and fraud. The team also addresses the potential threats these instances pose to public confidence in science.

In this specific case, a crucial article defining long Covid faced data issues, leading to its retraction and republication by the esteemed journal Lancet. The authors displayed integrity by promptly notifying the editors and collaboratively working with the journal to clarify the situation in a unique manner.

References:

1. Retracted Lancet Article on Long Covid: [Link](https://retractionwatch.com/2023/06/13/highly-cited-lancet-long-covid-study-retracted-and-republished/)

The hosts go on to discuss three infamous cases of academic fraud, starting with Diederik Stapel, a Dutch social psychologist, who fabricated studies to cater to popular beliefs about human nature.

2. Diederik Stapel's Academic Fraud: [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/magazine/diederik-stapels-audacious-academic-fraud.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)

The conversation then shifts to Jonathan Pruitt, a spider biologist at McMaster University, who falsified data, noteworthy as both Mark and Brady are faculty members at the same institution. #Spidergate

3. Jonathan Pruitt's Data Fabrication: [Link](https://www.science.org/content/article/university-investigation-found-prominent-spider-biologist-fabricated-falsified-data)

Lastly, the podcast touches upon Dr. Hwang Woo Suk, a disgraced stem cell scientist, who manipulated data in his research.

4. Dr. Hwang Woo Suk's Stem Cell Fraud: [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/science/south-korea-scientist-contrite-for-stem-cell-fraud.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare)

Amidst these intriguing discussions, the hosts also explore Hanlon's Razor, Gray's Corollary, and cognitive distortions, adding depth to the conversation.

ALSO: Duke Settles Doctored Data Lawsuit for $112.5 Million

[Link] (https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/910871?form=fpf)

AND:

Bonus: Crisis Beat co-host Mark Crowther's academic biography: [Link] (https://g.co/kgs/8HK69Q)

The episode then takes a wider perspective, delving into various news items with significant implications. They touch upon Canadian wildfires and the questioning of communication by Canadian officials, which affected air quality in New York City and the US.

5. Canadian Wildfires and Air Quality Impact: [Link](https://www.nytimes.com/article/canada-wildfires-what-to-know.html)

Next, they discuss the Nicola Sturgeon scandal, wherein the former leader of the Scottish Nationalist party (SNP) retracted from the public eye. Subsequently, both she and her husband were arrested for financial irregularities in SNP money management, raising questions about their communications approach and potential outcomes and its impact on Scottish independence.

6. Nicola Sturgeon Scandal: [Link](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-65871857)

Shifting gears, the hosts analyze recent developments surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan, including court testimony, the cancellation of their Spotify deal, and its implications on their brand and ambitions.

7. Prince Harry and Meghan's Recent Communications: [Link1](https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/06/07/prince-harry-complains-again-this-time-in-court) [Link2](https://nypost.com/2023/06/18/meghan-markle-appears-downcast-in-first-sighting-since-spotify-split/)

Finally, the hosts recommend watching the 'Arnold' 3-part documentary on Netflix, which showcases a crisis communicatio...