Charles Piller
@charlespiller.bsky.social
Investigative reporter @sciencemagazine. Before: investigations for @statnews @sacbee_news @latimes. cpiller@charlespiller.com - Signal 510.469.7984. Author of the new book "Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's"
Illuminating analysis of Forced Ketamine Studies, Excited Delirium, and Police Violence by @carlelliott.bsky.social and Lauren Wilson onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
The Hennepin Healthcare Forced Ketamine Studies, Excited Delirium, and Police Violence
In the summer of 2018, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported clinical trials at Hennepin County Medical Center in which emergency medical personnel were injecting agitated individuals with ketamine, ...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Illuminating analysis of Forced Ketamine Studies, Excited Delirium, and Police Violence by @carlelliott.bsky.social and Lauren Wilson onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
Reposted by Charles Piller
Competition @kaggle.com: Scientific Image Forgery Detection
Who can develop the best model to detect copy/move forgeries in biomedical images?
#ImageForensics
www.kaggle.com/competitions...
Who can develop the best model to detect copy/move forgeries in biomedical images?
#ImageForensics
www.kaggle.com/competitions...
Recod.ai/LUC - Scientific Image Forgery Detection
Develop methods that can accurately detect and segment copy-move forgeries within biomedical research images.
www.kaggle.com
October 23, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Competition @kaggle.com: Scientific Image Forgery Detection
Who can develop the best model to detect copy/move forgeries in biomedical images?
#ImageForensics
www.kaggle.com/competitions...
Who can develop the best model to detect copy/move forgeries in biomedical images?
#ImageForensics
www.kaggle.com/competitions...
Letters to scientific journals surge as ‘prolific debutante’ authors likely use AI | Science | AAAS - fascinating report by @jeffreybrainard.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Letters to scientific journals surge as ‘prolific debutante’ authors likely use AI
New study reinforces worries about “mass production of junk” by unscrupulous scholars aiming to pad their CVs
www.science.org
November 4, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Letters to scientific journals surge as ‘prolific debutante’ authors likely use AI | Science | AAAS - fascinating report by @jeffreybrainard.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Thanks to @fredchedin.bsky.social, Dean Mark Winey, and the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences for inviting me to give the Storer Lecture on Oct 23: “Misconduct in Neuroscience Research: Problems and Solutions.” The video is now available
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCPM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCPM...
November 3, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Thanks to @fredchedin.bsky.social, Dean Mark Winey, and the UC Davis College of Biological Sciences for inviting me to give the Storer Lecture on Oct 23: “Misconduct in Neuroscience Research: Problems and Solutions.” The video is now available
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCPM...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCPM...
Replacing Public Doubt with Public Confidence: Experiments in Building Trust at Science, via @meagan-g-phelan.bsky.social scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/10/23/g...
Guest Post — Replacing Public Doubt with Public Confidence: Experiments in Building Trust at Science - The Scholarly Kitchen
Today's guest post is by Meagan Phelan of AAAS, who asks: If more research is openly available than ever before, and open is framed as a way to build trust, why isn’t public trust in science at an all...
scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org
November 1, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Replacing Public Doubt with Public Confidence: Experiments in Building Trust at Science, via @meagan-g-phelan.bsky.social scholarlykitchen.sspnet.org/2025/10/23/g...
Reposted by Charles Piller
We've added three FREE ##SciWri25 Lunch and Learns:
▶️Medical science reporting, w/ Cohn Prize winners @charlespiller.bsky.social & Marilynn Marchione
▶️Funding science journalism at scale
▶️Technological progress & research
Registration is required and spots are limited. Sign up by noon ET Monday!
▶️Medical science reporting, w/ Cohn Prize winners @charlespiller.bsky.social & Marilynn Marchione
▶️Funding science journalism at scale
▶️Technological progress & research
Registration is required and spots are limited. Sign up by noon ET Monday!
October 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
We've added three FREE ##SciWri25 Lunch and Learns:
▶️Medical science reporting, w/ Cohn Prize winners @charlespiller.bsky.social & Marilynn Marchione
▶️Funding science journalism at scale
▶️Technological progress & research
Registration is required and spots are limited. Sign up by noon ET Monday!
▶️Medical science reporting, w/ Cohn Prize winners @charlespiller.bsky.social & Marilynn Marchione
▶️Funding science journalism at scale
▶️Technological progress & research
Registration is required and spots are limited. Sign up by noon ET Monday!
Exclusive from @retractionwatch.com : Journal to retract Alzheimer's study after investigation finds misconduct -- follows findings by @thatsregrettab1.bsky.social retractionwatch.com/2025/10/20/e...
Exclusive: Journal to retract Alzheimer’s study after investigation finds misconduct
A journal says it will retract a 2019 paper on an Alzheimer’s treatment after an institutional investigation found research misconduct, according to emails seen by Retraction Watch. The move …
retractionwatch.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:38 AM
Exclusive from @retractionwatch.com : Journal to retract Alzheimer's study after investigation finds misconduct -- follows findings by @thatsregrettab1.bsky.social retractionwatch.com/2025/10/20/e...
How an FDA cleared “brain protection” device built on shaky science made it to the NFL - fascinating deep dive by @jsmoliga.bsky.social @mumumouse2.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/391/...
How an FDA cleared “brain protection” device built on shaky science made it to the NFL
It’s time for the FDA to re-evaluate its decision to authorise Q-Collar, say James Smoliga and Mu Yang
A wearable “brain protection” device known as the Q-Collar, which sells for $199 (£149; €170), ...
www.bmj.com
October 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
How an FDA cleared “brain protection” device built on shaky science made it to the NFL - fascinating deep dive by @jsmoliga.bsky.social @mumumouse2.bsky.social www.bmj.com/content/391/...
On an Arctic archipelago, frozen soil may preserve a hidden history of viruses | Science | AAAS - fascinating journey via @kakape.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
On an Arctic archipelago, frozen soil may preserve a hidden history of viruses
Scientists are hunting for ancient RNA in Svalbard’s permafrost, hoping to shed light on the evolution of viral diseases
www.science.org
October 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
On an Arctic archipelago, frozen soil may preserve a hidden history of viruses | Science | AAAS - fascinating journey via @kakape.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
As his fraud trial looms, Alzheimer’s scientist exonerated by his university—sort of - CUNY's puzzling analysis of a collaborator of Cassava Sciences www.science.org/content/arti...
As his fraud trial looms, Alzheimer’s scientist exonerated by his university—sort of
Excusing record-keeping “misconduct” flagged in earlier investigative report, City University of New York concluded in letter that image doctoring by Hoau-Yan Wang was not proved
www.science.org
October 16, 2025 at 6:01 PM
As his fraud trial looms, Alzheimer’s scientist exonerated by his university—sort of - CUNY's puzzling analysis of a collaborator of Cassava Sciences www.science.org/content/arti...
Northern Californians: I’ll be giving the Storer Lecture at UC Davis on Oct. 23, at 4pm. It will cover my investigative findings in Science and my in book “Doctored” about Alzheimer’s research misconduct. I’d be delighted to see you in person or via zoom. biology.ucdavis.edu/events/store...
Storer Lectureship - Misconduct in Neuroscience Research: Problems and Solutions
Charles Piller writes investigative stories for Science.
biology.ucdavis.edu
October 7, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Northern Californians: I’ll be giving the Storer Lecture at UC Davis on Oct. 23, at 4pm. It will cover my investigative findings in Science and my in book “Doctored” about Alzheimer’s research misconduct. I’d be delighted to see you in person or via zoom. biology.ucdavis.edu/events/store...
Compelling look at private equity and IRBs - the panels that approve and oversee human testing of drugs www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/h...
How Private Equity Oversees the Ethics of Drug Research
www.nytimes.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Compelling look at private equity and IRBs - the panels that approve and oversee human testing of drugs www.nytimes.com/2025/10/04/h...
I’m deeply honored to have been named as the recipient of the Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting from the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. It recognizes my work on scientific integrity for Science Magazine over the last five years. 1/7 tinyurl.com/zz54fzyr
Charles Piller wins 2025 Victor Cohn Prize - CASW
tinyurl.com
October 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
I’m deeply honored to have been named as the recipient of the Victor Cohn Prize for Excellence in Medical Science Reporting from the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. It recognizes my work on scientific integrity for Science Magazine over the last five years. 1/7 tinyurl.com/zz54fzyr
Whose papers have an edge at Science? In unusual study, journal looks in the mirror | Science | AAAS via @jeffreybrainard.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Whose papers have an edge at Science? In unusual study, journal looks in the mirror
Confidential data show being in the U.S., at a prestigious institution, and in a large team all may help
www.science.org
September 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Whose papers have an edge at Science? In unusual study, journal looks in the mirror | Science | AAAS via @jeffreybrainard.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Charles Piller
Scientific fraud and research misconduct are not only the result of personal ambition but also of endemic and systemic causes: See my review of @charlespiller.bsky.social “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s.”
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
🧪 #AcademicSky
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
🧪 #AcademicSky
(PDF) A Catalyst for Urgent Dialogue and Reform
PDF | Book Review of C. Piller (2025). Doctored. Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s, Atria, One Signal Publishers, New York,... | Find, read and cite all the research you n...
www.researchgate.net
September 19, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Scientific fraud and research misconduct are not only the result of personal ambition but also of endemic and systemic causes: See my review of @charlespiller.bsky.social “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s.”
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
🧪 #AcademicSky
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
🧪 #AcademicSky
Exclusive: Publisher investigating DNA contamination paper that authors say CDC vaccine committee will consider - re amazing detective work by @thatsregrettab1.bsky.social retractionwatch.com/2025/09/18/c...
retractionwatch.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Exclusive: Publisher investigating DNA contamination paper that authors say CDC vaccine committee will consider - re amazing detective work by @thatsregrettab1.bsky.social retractionwatch.com/2025/09/18/c...
Exclusive: Journal bans drug safety database papers as they flood the literature via @katetravis.bsky.social retractionwatch.com/2025/09/16/e...
Exclusive: Journal bans drug safety database papers as they flood the literature
celafon/iStockPhoto Starting around 2023, a curious trend took hold in papers on drug safety monitoring. The number of articles published on an individual drug and its link to specific adverse even…
retractionwatch.com
September 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Exclusive: Journal bans drug safety database papers as they flood the literature via @katetravis.bsky.social retractionwatch.com/2025/09/16/e...
Many thanks to @gjvanbussel.bsky.social for “A Catalyst for Urgent Dialogue and Reform” – his astute, thorough, and fair-minded review of my book “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s.” vbds.nl/2025/09/15/a...
A Catalyst for Urgent Dialogue and Reform | Van Bussel Document Services
vbds.nl
September 16, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Many thanks to @gjvanbussel.bsky.social for “A Catalyst for Urgent Dialogue and Reform” – his astute, thorough, and fair-minded review of my book “Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer’s.” vbds.nl/2025/09/15/a...
Conflicts at Top US Pediatrician Assoc - as actual and alleged conflicts are being weaponized to undermine vaccination, this story cogently argues that medical associations like AAP must set a better example on transparency and conflicts undark.org/2025/09/04/c... via @undarkmag
A Question of Conflicts at America's Top Pediatrician Association
How far should the AAP go to disclose potential conflicts of interest in guidelines and other official recommendations?
undark.org
September 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Conflicts at Top US Pediatrician Assoc - as actual and alleged conflicts are being weaponized to undermine vaccination, this story cogently argues that medical associations like AAP must set a better example on transparency and conflicts undark.org/2025/09/04/c... via @undarkmag
Another elaborate correction by Eliezer Masliah et al admitting image anomalies ID’d originally by @mumumouse2.bsky.social prior to my @science.org investigation of Masliah: errors in images, but not to worry, they were only “for illustration purposes.” academic.oup.com/brain/articl...
Correction to: Accumulation of oligomer-prone α-synuclein exacerbates synaptic and neuronal degeneration in vivo
Edward Rockenstein, Silke Nuber, Cassia R. Overk, Kiren Ubhi, Michael Mante, Christina Patrick, Anthony Adame, Margarita Trejo-Morales, Juan Gerez, Paola P
academic.oup.com
September 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Another elaborate correction by Eliezer Masliah et al admitting image anomalies ID’d originally by @mumumouse2.bsky.social prior to my @science.org investigation of Masliah: errors in images, but not to worry, they were only “for illustration purposes.” academic.oup.com/brain/articl...
Congrats to @lonnibesancon.bsky.social @gcabanac.cpesr.fr and colleagues on 2025 Best JASIST Paper Award (and for donating the award money to the Bik Science integrity fund) www.asist.org/2025/08/13/s...
September 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Congrats to @lonnibesancon.bsky.social @gcabanac.cpesr.fr and colleagues on 2025 Best JASIST Paper Award (and for donating the award money to the Bik Science integrity fund) www.asist.org/2025/08/13/s...
Thanks to Michael Chanon for a thoughtful review of my book, "Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's" jacobin.com/2025/08/big-...
How the Pharma Industry Botched Alzheimer’s Treatment
Journalist Charles Piller has exposed a pattern of shoddy and even fraudulent practices in Alzheimer’s research. It shows the drug research system needs serious reform, but health secretary Robert F. ...
jacobin.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Thanks to Michael Chanon for a thoughtful review of my book, "Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's" jacobin.com/2025/08/big-...
Making Your Research Free May Cost You - @stephaniemlee.bsky.social takes a close look at the the growing crisis in prohibitively high research publication fees www.chronicle.com/article/maki...
August 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Making Your Research Free May Cost You - @stephaniemlee.bsky.social takes a close look at the the growing crisis in prohibitively high research publication fees www.chronicle.com/article/maki...
AI tool labels more than 1000 journals for ‘questionable,’ possibly shady practices | Science | AAAS via @jeffreybrainard.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
AI tool labels more than 1000 journals for ‘questionable,’ possibly shady practices
New algorithm could help scientists avoid publishing in shady titles
www.science.org
August 29, 2025 at 2:21 PM
AI tool labels more than 1000 journals for ‘questionable,’ possibly shady practices | Science | AAAS via @jeffreybrainard.bsky.social www.science.org/content/arti...
Impressive look at the impact of paper mills on one journal, by Rene Aquarius, @elisabethbik.bsky.social, David Bimler, Morten Oksvold, @thatsregrettab1.bsky.social h/t @retractionwatch.com www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Tackling paper mills requires us to prevent future contamination and clean up the past – the case of the journal Bioengineered
Taylor & Francis journal Bioengineered has been targeted by paper mills. Our goal is to identify problematic articles published in Bioengineered during the period 2010 to 2024. Dimensions was used ...
www.tandfonline.com
August 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Impressive look at the impact of paper mills on one journal, by Rene Aquarius, @elisabethbik.bsky.social, David Bimler, Morten Oksvold, @thatsregrettab1.bsky.social h/t @retractionwatch.com www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....