AI flags more than 250,000 suspicious cancer research papers
Researchers have developed a machine learning tool using BERT to identify over 250,000 suspicious cancer research papers likely produced by 'paper mills.' These companies sell fabricated or low-quality scientific studies, posing a significant threat to the integrity of medical research.
Why it matters
This technology is crucial for maintaining scientific rigor and preventing the spread of fraudulent medical data in academic literature.
A new machine learning system has flagged more than 250,000 cancer research papers that may be connected to so called "paper mills."
The study, published in The BMJ , examined 2.6 million cancer research papers released between 1999 and 2024. It was led by QUT researcher Professor Adrian Barnett, from the School of Public Health and Social Work and Australian Centre for Health Services and Innovation (AusHSI), together with an international group of collaborators.
The researchers found that more than 250,000 papers contained writing patterns similar to those seen in studies that had already been retracted over suspected fabrication.
"Paper mills are companies that sell fake or low-quality scientific studies. They are producing 'research' on an industrial scale, and our findings suggest the problem in cancer research is far larger than most people realized," Professor Barnett said.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in