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Nature 445, 240-241 (18 January 2007) | doi:10.1038/445240a; Published online 17 January 2007

Misconduct Special Misconduct? It's all academic...

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The legal quagmire, strain and bad press of misconduct investigations leave many universities tempted to ignore misconduct allegations. But getting an investigation right can reduce the pain and boost an institution's reputation, says Geoff Brumfiel.

Rumours were flying at Purdue University nuclear engineering school in West Lafayette, Indiana, late in 2005. A recently hired physicist, Rusi Taleyarkhan, claimed to be pioneering a new form of energy called bubble fusion.