Nature Podcast AI linked to boom in biomedical papers, infrared contact lenses, and is Earth's core leaking?
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May 28, 2025 Artificial intelligence is shaking up biomedical research, with a surge in papers raising concerns about quality and ethics. Meanwhile, Chinese scientists have developed revolutionary contact lenses that allow humans to see infrared light, potentially transforming search and rescue operations. On a more mysterious note, geologists have found evidence suggesting that the Earth's core might be leaking, revealing intriguing implications for our understanding of its composition. These topics blend cutting-edge science with thought-provoking questions about our planet.
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AI-driven Paper Boom Concern
- There is an explosion of formulaic biomedical papers analysing a public dataset with possible AI involvement.
- This raises concerns about low-quality, misleading research proliferating rapidly since 2022.
The Problem of Data Fishing
- Data mining this public dataset allows researchers to keep testing until they find significant associations.
- Such fishing expeditions degrade the validity of statistical findings and can mislead the scientific field.
Require Study Plans for Data Access
- Public databases should require researchers to register study plans before accessing data.
- This would help audit usage and prevent wholesale data mining producing low-quality papers.