Controversy at Osaka U.: Bad Science or Dirty Politics?

The article reports on controversy over a paper published by researchers at Japan's Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine. At a news conference Dean Masaya Tohyama announced that an investigation, the results of which were not made public, found "flaws" and "immature data" in the paper based on "inadequacies" in its preparation. The paper's author, researcher Dr. Iichiro Shimomura, says the accusations are not substantiated and are politically based, and he is considering legal action. Shimomura's lawyer questions how the university could release his client's name to the press when they have no intent of charging him with fraud or disciplining him. The journal "Science," in which the paper was published, is following the situation but has no plans to retract the paper.