Journal retracts study linking a virus to ME {chronic fatigue syndrome}

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16306646

A study linking a virus to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as ME, has been withdrawn by the journal which published it.

The 2009 study, in Science, suggested a mouse virus, XMRV, was linked to the illness.

But in September this year, the study's authors withdrew some of their findings, saying they were based on "contaminated data".

The journal said it had "lost confidence" in the study.

[kdmorris]

1. Huh... I so rarely see retractions on studies

(though you do see other studies that are unable replicate initial studies).

Though I still wish I knew what caused it.

[Chemisse]

2. Maybe they discovered it was literally contaminated.

If so, it would have proved to be quite an embarrassment to the researchers, (one would assume) and a retraction would be the only honorable thing to do.

[kdmorris]

3. It sounds like it was literally contaminated.

Still, it's good to see them doing the honorable thing. I wish others would, too.

[MineralMan]

4. A triumph of peer-reviewed, evidence-based research.

Every time this happens, it demonstrates that science is willing to deal with erroneous information publicly. That the authors, themselves, revealed the flaws in their research is even more meaningful.

This is why science makes progress and demonstrates the ethical standards that all research should follow.