Japanese researcher's stem cell study declared fraudulent

Researchers at the government-backed Riken institute in Japan have discredited parts of a high-profile stem cell study, claiming that they are fraudulent.

One of their scientists, Haruko Obokata, who led the STAP cells study, had claimed that they had found a revolutionary method of producing cells that can turn into various kinds of cells, the Japan Times reported.

But, allegations soon surfaced that the papers had manipulated images and misappropriated data from Obokata's doctoral thesis.

In the interim report, Riken said the STAP cell papers contained "serious errors," and of 6 allegations about the papers, the institute dismissed 2 but noted the remaining possibility of data manipulation and plagiarism.