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Five "scientific" articles you shouldn't believe
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
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This year, the scientific journal Nature published an article claiming that the maximum possible age of a human being is no more than 115 years. This information caused a stir – and not only among ordinary readers, but also among scientists. The fact is that this journal has always had a good reputation as a quality scientific publication, so it was very strange to read on its pages such a “fact” that most specialists disagree with.
As it turned out, the article was indeed not based on any evidence and was reviewed by accident. After this incident, the issue of reviewing such information was posed more strictly, so as not to mislead readers.
The editors have selected five more of the most resonant materials, the essence of which did not reflect the truth. We invite you to familiarize yourself with them.
- Myth: Genetically modified foods cause tumor development.
About five years ago, a respected publication published data that such a genetically modified product as corn can give rise to the development of a tumor process. The study was conducted on rodents that were fed corn with GMOs. After the publication, the author of the experiment gained real fame, because genetic modification initially caused a lot of negative emotions in most people, and they had long been waiting for such confirmation of their speculations. However, the article was criticized, and this information did not receive true scientific confirmation.
- Myth: Vaccinations cause autism.
An article on this topic appeared almost 10 years ago, but it was retracted only 2 years later. The fact is that such a conclusion was made after an experiment involving 12 volunteers - and this is very, very little for scientific research. In addition, the financial interest of the author of the article in disseminating such information was proven.
- Myth: It is possible to obtain stem cells in a new way.
Scientists have long been researching the possibility of obtaining stem cells from other native cells of the patient. It is not surprising that they were interested in a new scientific article, the authors of which claimed to have invented a new method of growing stem cells. It was later proven that the facts were falsified to publish the material: the main author of the article was subjected to a lava of criticism, which subsequently led to his suicide.
- Myth: Spreading information about homosexuals reduces the severity of homophobia.
Three years ago, a study was allegedly conducted, during which representatives of non-traditional orientation told the population about their lives and problems, after which they were interested in whether people's opinions about them had changed. According to the article, people's attitudes toward homosexuality changed for the better. However, after some time, it was proven that the experiment was conducted with a lot of gross violations, which allowed the unconfirmed information to be withdrawn.
- Myth: Water has memory.
20 years ago, an article was published about water being able to remember contact with any substance and change its structure based on this. The information caused a lot of responses, and they decided to repeat the study. Imagine the scientists' surprise when this information was not confirmed. The article was not retracted, but they also stopped taking it seriously.