Case file · open since Nov 5, 2026
Wikipedia still cites a retracted paper on “2010 in science”
We read every case by hand before telling editors, then check the article every day. This page updates when anything changes.
The source
A Bacterium That Can Grow by Using Arsenic Instead of Phosphorus
Felisa Wolfe-Simon, Jodi Switzer Blum, Thomas R Kulp, Gwyneth W Gordon et al.
Science · published December 2010 · cited 396 times by other papers
Retracted Jul 24, 2025
Investigation by Journal/PublisherInvestigation by Third PartyObjections by Author(s)Results Not ReproducibleUpgrade/Update of Prior Notice(s)
Where Wikipedia cites it
- 2010 in science103 views a month · open since Nov 5 · editors toldZombie
- Arsenicalready warns readersFlagged
- Hypothetical types of biochemistryalready warns readersFlagged
- PLOS Onealready warns readersFlagged
- Paul Daviesalready warns readersFlagged
- Open sciencealready warns readersFlagged
- GFAJ-1already warns readersFlagged
- Arsenic biochemistryalready warns readersFlagged
- Felisa Wolfe-Simonalready warns readersFlagged
- Ariel Anbaralready warns readersFlagged
- Ronald Oremlandalready warns readersFlagged
Case log
- FoundFound on 2010 in science: the citation is live and nothing near it mentions the retraction.
- ReviewedRead by hand (2010 in science). Science retracted the arsenic-life paper in July 2025 because its results could not be reproduced. The 2010 entry can stay as history, but it still reads as an established discovery.
- Note postedNote posted on the talk page of 2010 in science. See the note.
A zombie is not an accusation. Some articles cite a retracted paper to discuss it, and some retractions don't touch the cited claim, which is why a person reads every case. How we decide · How to contest a case
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