As a conclusion of the 18-month investigation, The University of Minnesota has concluded that falsified data were used in a 2001 article published by one of its researchers on adult stem cells.

The investigation was done by the stem-cell expert Dr. Catherine Verfaillie. The investigation clears Verfaillie of misconduct but points to a former graduate student, Dr. Morayma Reyes, who is now an assistant professor at the University of Washington.The school is asking that the article be retracted.

The study was one of a series that Verfaillie published, suggesting that adult stem cells could be used as an alternative to embryonic stem cells in medical research.Reyes, who responded to questions by e-mail, said the correction in the journal Blood is warranted. However, she denied falsifying data.

She added the university panel said she falsified data by adjusting brightness and contrast in scientific images included in the article. At the time the research was done, that was an accepted practice but it has since changed, she said. The panel judged her on the newer standard.But Reyes also said they in no way altered the conclusions of the paper, and the research has since been successfully reproduced by other scientists.

Source: Associated Press