WASHINGTON, May 23 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. stem cell study described as a major medical breakthrough in the journal Cell last week is under investigation for so-called "image reuse," according to a report by another journal.
Last week, researchers at the Oregon Health and Science University and the Oregon National Primate Research Center reported in Cell they had successfully reprogrammed human skin cells to become embryonic stem cells capable of transforming into any other cell type in the body.
The research received wide media coverage but a commenter on PubPeer, a site dedicated to post-publication peer review, alleged several instances of "image reuse" in the Cell paper, according to the ScienceInsider blog published by the journal Science.
The commenter also found that "in the paper, it is recorded that the journal Cell accepted this paper just four days after submission," it said.
Cell spokesperson Mary Beth O'Leary confirmed the journal's editorial team "is assessing the allegations brought up in the PubPeer piece" and promised to release the results as soon as the investigation ends.
