We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Paper on microplastics in fish is retracted
AI summary Read the abstract
This news article reported on the retraction of a high-profile Science paper claiming that polystyrene microplastics from personal care products could inhibit hatching, stunt growth, and increase predation in perch, after investigators raised concerns about missing data and irregularities in how the study was conducted. The retraction serves as a cautionary case study for the importance of rigorous methodology and data transparency in microplastic toxicology research.
Last June, C&EN covered a paper in Science showing that polystyrene microplastics from personal care products ingested by perch could “inhibit hatching, stunt growth, and boost predation” of the fish (2016, DOI: 10.1126/science.aad8828). The paper has now been retracted. After Oona Lönnstedt and Peter Eklöv of Uppsala University published the study, seven researchers filed a complaint with Uppsala, claiming missing data, statistical design and analysis problems, and discrepancies between how the researchers said they carried out the study and eyewitness accounts of the experiments. A university-convened panel of researchers concluded on Aug. 31 that no evidence of research misconduct existed. At about the same time, Lönnstedt and Eklöv reported that a computer containing data from the study had been stolen and there was no backup. The university also asked Sweden’s Central Ethical Review Board to consider the complaint. On April 21, the board decided that the authors’ responses to questions
More Papers Like This
On Some Possible Ramifications of the “Microplastics in Fish” Case
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper examines a high-profile case of research misconduct in environmental science — a 2016 Science paper on microplastics and fish behavior that was retracted after findings could not be reproduced — and discusses the broader implications for scientific integrity in the field of plastic pollution research.
RETRACTED: Environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastic particles influence larval fish ecology
AI summary Read the abstract
Note: This paper has been retracted by the journal. The original study claimed that microplastic exposure at environmental levels harmed larval fish development and behavior, but the findings were later deemed unreliable. Retracted studies should not be used as evidence for microplastic health effects, though the topic of microplastic impacts on early-life fish development continues to be studied by other research groups.
Editorial retraction
AI summary Read the abstract
This editorial retraction removed from Science the paper by Lönnstedt and Eklöv on microplastic effects on larval perch, citing lack of ethical approval, absence of original data, and widespread lack of clarity about experimental conduct as found by Sweden's Central Ethical Review Board. The retraction highlights the critical importance of data integrity and ethical oversight in environmental toxicology research.
Evaluating Science's open-data policy
AI summary Read the abstract
This letter calls for a re-evaluation of the journal Science's open-data policy after a high-profile microplastic and fish behavior study was retracted due to data issues. The incident highlights the importance of data transparency and archiving in microplastic research.
Retraction Note: An assessment of physiological and health responses in Catla catla fingerlings after polystyrene microplastic exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
This is a retraction notice for a study on polystyrene microplastic exposure in Catla catla fish, withdrawn after data irregularities were identified, including figures that appeared to be reused from other papers representing different conditions or species. The retraction underscores the importance of data integrity in microplastics research, where replication and accuracy are critical.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.