Ground-breaking stem cell research by Japanese scientist cast doubt

The discovery of suspicious images published in science journals has cast doubt on the results of ground-breaking stem cell research led by a scientist Haruko Obokata.

According to journal Nature, research institute based in Kobe, Riken, that hosted the research, has opened an investigation into whether the photos, which depict the placental development of a mouse, were intentionally altered, the Japan times reported.

The research explored the use of physical stress to induce adult cells in mice to return to an embryonic state.

It appeared to provide a simple solution to the complicated problem of producing stem cells for use in medical treatments.

However, as per journal Nature, some images included in the two papers seem to have been altered, while others bear an unusually strong resemblance to each other.

Meanwhile, Teruhiko Wakayama, a professor at Yamanashi University and a co-author of the papers, told the journal that he was able to reproduce the experiment's results independently and the results are absolutely true.