Columbia University retracts three papers

The studies were published during 2004 and 2005 in The Journal of the American Chemical Society. The senior author of the papers was Chemistry Professor Dalibor Sames; the graduate student listed as an author on each, was Bengu Sezen, who left the university after receiving her doctorate last year, The New York Times reported Thursday.

The retractions said key findings in the research that involved transforming simple hydrocarbon molecules into more complex and useful molecules could not be replicated.

The journal officially noted all three retractions on its Web site March 1, and they were reported this month on two chemistry blogs, the Times said, noting attempts to located Sezen were unsuccessful.

Columbia officials said an internal panel was also in the process of reviewing the research.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International