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The image shows 3 women sitting in front of flowers. They are all wearing jeans and are sitting outdoors.

March 8th is  International Women’s Day! What a fantastic time to appreciate not only the women dear to us, but also to applaud the many women who have made progress in the field of Medicine. To discover more about the timeline of Women who made history in medicine, AMA has a brief timeline to illuminate those who helped to make the field of medicine what it is today.

Today, women continue to excel in all areas of healthcare, from clinical practice to research and academia. Female physicians, surgeons, researchers, and educators continue to make significant contributions to their fields that drive innovation and the improvement of patient care. Their dedication and expertise inspire the next generation of medical professionals.

Unfortunately throughout the world, women continue to face bias, discrimination, workplace pay inequality, and a lack of protection. A recent study from the World Bank reveals that the gender gap between men and women is wider than ever before. Moreover, women of color and those from underprivileged backgrounds often encounter additional barriers to advancement and recognition.

Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from not only the community as a whole but also medical schools and hospitals. Consider encouraging Initiatives that promote diversity and equality and encourage a more supportive and inclusive environment for women in medicine. GW’s very own Clara Bliss Hinds Society is a powerful and inspirational task force that hosts workshops and events to promote Women in the industry.

Let us not forget that tomorrow matters. As educators and mentors, we have a responsibility to empower the next generation of Women in Medicine. It may be beneficial to study and highlight the achievements of female role models in medicine and sharing their stories can inspire students to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles. Representation matters, and by showcasing diverse role models, we can challenge stereotypes and broaden perceptions of who can succeed in medicine.

Further reading can be found at Himmelfarb:

With Humanities Highlights, Himmelfarb staff aims to spotlight useful books from our Humanities collection. This week, we’re showcasing “The Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion. 

About the Book: “The Year of Magical Thinking” is a memoir of the grief experienced by Joan Didion, novelist and journalist, after the sudden death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne. Written the year after his death, Didion turns her journalistic eye to her own raw thought processes, resulting in a masterful study of grief and a testament to a successful marriage. 

Reasons to Read: Since Didion wrote “The Year of Magical Thinking  so close to her husband’s death, the work maintains an immediacy; reading it almost captures the evolution of her thoughts as they developed. Raw but measured, it provides a sharp picture of grief that could very well help those who are grieving. 

Reasons to Avoid: If you’re triggered by flaunting of luxury, be prepared for copious references to exotic travel, hotel living, ruby crystal glasses, and phrases like [speaking of the late 60s], “a mood where no one thought twice about flying 700 miles for dinner" (Didion, 2005, p. 49). 

Further Reading: 

  • Play It as It Lays - Didion’s classic 1970 novel, which depicts 1960s Hollywood and an emerging nihilism (available at Himmelfarb through Ebook Central Complete). 
  • Slouching Towards Bethlehem - Didion’s 1968 collection of non-fiction, often regarded as the best example of her new-journalism  (available through consortium loan).

References:

Didion, J. (2005). The Year of Magical Thinking. Vintage International.

There has been an increase in discussion and research on loneliness, isolation and social disconnection within the United States and around the world. Many people experienced true isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing and other preventive measures required people to stay inside their homes and lose in-person contact with our social circles. But prior to the pandemic, researchers have noticed a steady decline in participation in traditional social institutions such as religious institutions, civic organizations and unions. Along with a decline in social institutions, more people are expressing a sense of loneliness or a lack of meaningful social connections. 

The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory report in 2023 that addressed the health consequences of loneliness and how institutions must address the loneliness epidemic. In the introduction, Dr. Murthy wrote “...social disconnection was far more common than I had realized. In the scientific literature, I found confirmation of what I was hearing. In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.” (Office of the Surgeon General, 2023) Loneliness has been tied to negative health consequences and behaviors and researchers argue that if this epidemic is not addressed, community and social institutions will further erode and people’s overall quality of health will worsen over time.

Loneliness & Health

As Dr. Murthy said, loneliness is more than a negative feeling. “Loneliness is defined as a psychologically distressing perception of social isolation, which occurs when there is a mismatch between one’s desired amount and quality of social interactions and relationships and the actual experience.” (Ng, 2024) Anyone is susceptible to loneliness, but according to research studies young people aged 15-24, people over the age of 65, disabled individuals, women and other specific groups report high rates of loneliness. Rates of reported loneliness are high. “In the United States, one in two adults reported experiencing loneliness, and in European studies, the prevalence of loneliness was 2.9%, 2.7% and 5.2% in young, middle-aged and older adults respectively in northern Europe, and 7.5%, 9.6% and 21.3% in young, middle-aged and older adults respectively in eastern Europe.” (Ng, 2024)

Loneliness has been linked to negative health consequences. People who experience high rates of loneliness are at increased risks of depression, anxiety, heart disease, dementia and early death. Lonely people “are also more likely to exhibit negative health behaviors which are fundamental in the association between loneliness and poor health outcomes, for example, excess alcohol consumption, smoking and substance abuse.” (Allen et al., 2022)  The U.S. Surgeon General said the negative health effects of loneliness are comparable to the health effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Addressing Loneliness & Lack of Connections

Addressing the loneliness epidemic will require cooperation among different institutions and community members. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation from the Surgeon General’s Office outlines both the harmful effects of loneliness and the Office’s national strategy to address the epidemic. The strategy consists of six pillars: 

  • Strengthening Social Infrastructure in Local Communities
  • Enact Pro-Connection Public Policies
  • Mobilize the Health Sector
  • Reform Digital Environments
  • Deepen our Knowledge
  • Cultivate a Culture of Connection

For the third pillar, Mobilize the Health Sector, the report says “It is critical that we invest in health care provider education on the physical and mental health benefits of social connection, as well as the risks associated with social disconnection. We must also create systems that enable and incentivize health care providers to educate patients as part of preventative care, assess for social disconnection, and respond to patients’ health-relevant social needs.” (Office of the Surgeon General, 2023) Health care providers must educate themselves on the impacts of loneliness and have conversations with their patients about the epidemic. Additionally, researchers can collaborate to track rates of loneliness and success of intervention methods so there is clear data that can be used to inform local, state or national policy. These efforts in tandem with other organizational and governmental efforts will create meaningful partnerships and programs that will connect people and cultivate a culture of community care and meaningful relationships.

Conclusion:

Combatting the loneliness epidemic may be difficult because people may experience shame over feeling isolated from others. But failing to address the epidemic means a potential rise in negative health consequences that are associated with severe rates of loneliness. Being vocal about loneliness will also require a level of empathy and vulnerability that is not immediately reciprocated or valued by others. A significant and intentional cultural shift will need to occur in order for people to connect in the aftermath of the pandemic.

References:

March 2024 Study Break Guide with cherry blossom branches, blue sky and colorful tulips

Crochet at the Museum!
Date: Saturday, March 2, 2024. 1:00 PM-2:00 PM
Location: GW Textile Museum. 701 21st St. NW
Cost: FREE! RSVP to event

Reduce stress and anxiety with crochet, creating something beautiful at the same time. The repetitive motion of crocheting can help soothe and calm the mind. Allied in Pride will host a crochet event at the GW Textile Museum. All supplies and instruction will be provided!

The 7th Annual Sung Symposium: Sleep for Well-being
Sponsored by GW School of Medicine & Health Sciences
Date: Friday, March 8, 2024. 1:00-5:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: FREE. Register to attend

The 2024 Sung Symposium explores how sleep affects whole health—and how well-being affects sleep. Research suggests that almost a third of us drag ourselves out of bed in the morning without enough good-quality sleep. If you feel tired upon waking, or throughout the day, you may be experiencing underlying issues that are impacting your night’s rest. Many things can contribute to poor sleep quality including poor sleep hygiene, stress, sleep apnea, a primary sleep disorder, or a chronic health condition. Attend this symposium and learn more about sleep problems and how to have restorative sleep

Ireland at The Wharf
Date: Saturday, March 16, 2024. 12:00-6:00 PM.
Location: DC Wharf. 760 Maine Ave. SW.
Cost: FREE!

The luck of the Irish comes to the DC Waterfront with the Ireland at The Wharf Festival! Enjoy Irish dancing performances, live music at the District Pier Stage, featuring Celtic, Irish, and Americana tunes you can sing and dance to. Dine at their many popular restaurants and cafes. There are so many options to choose from.

Coffee, Canvas, and Community at OAS
Date: Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: OAS (Office of Advocacy & Support) Townhouse. 520 22nd St NW.
Cost: FREE! RSVP to Event

Need a boost before classes? Join the Office of Advocacy and Support for Coffee, Canvas, and Community for painting with a relaxing cup of tea or an energizing coffee beverage. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Don't worry, no painting supplies or skills are required. Come to make friends, relax, paint, or just chill! Hope to see you there!

DC Sketchfest at DC Improv Comedy Club
Date: March 22, 2024. 7:30 PM. Door Time: 6:15 PM
Location: DC Improv Comedy Club/Restaurant. 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW
Cost: $20 General Admission

Enjoy a fun night of laughter and comedy at DC Sketchfest. This is an annual showcase that features the best-scripted comedy from DC and the world beyond. Check out the incredible lineup. DC Sketchfest is produced, booked, and organized by the DC sketch comedy community and founded by Bad Medicine and Rails Comedy.

Friends of the National Arboretum - Flowering 5K
Sponsored by FONA: Friends of the National Arboretum
Date: Sunday, March 24, 2024. Registration: 7:30 AM. Race start: 9:00 AM.
Location: U.S. National Arboretum. 3501 New York Ave NE.
Cost: Registration: $50, includes race t-shirt while supplies last until March 21st at 11:59 PM.
Race Weekend Registration: $55, race t-shirt not included.

FONA's Flowering 5K is the perfect way to enjoy the beauty of spring. This run or walk will take you past garden collections brightly colored with spring flowers, over tree-lined rolling hills, and along streams winding their way to the Anacostia River.  Enjoy cherry blossoms, magnolias, and so much more! This race will be safe and secure with all roads closed to cars so you can safely enjoy running or walking through this 451-acre urban green space. There will be a professional race announcer calling out runners as they cross the finish line and music before and after the event to get you in the groove. A professional photographer will take photos along the course. Photos will be shared with all participants after the race for free!

Blossom Kite Festival
Date: Saturday, March 30, 2024.
Rain Date: Sunday, March 31, 2024. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Washington Monument
Cost: FREE!

Head to the Washington Monument Grounds for fun activities, music, competitions, and performances. Kite enthusiasts, beginners, families, and friends are all welcome. The Kite Festival will feature a day-long celebration of dynamic traditional Japanese drumming, a showcase of traditional Edo-style kites, choreographed performances and demonstrations by Team KiteLife, Wings Over Washington Kite Club, and other nationally and internationally recognized professional kite fliers and so much more!

Images from: Pexels

Image with callout text We want your feedback! and Share your satisfaction with our recent library catalog change.

In January we changed the default search scope for Health Information @ Himmelfarb, the library catalog, to automatically include print materials at other Washington Research Library Consortium Libraries. Including this content can improve your search results when searching for books and topics beyond clinical medicine. Print materials can be borrowed for free from the other consortium libraries and delivered to Himmelfarb or the VSTC Library though the Consortium Loan Service. You can read more about the change in our previous Library News article.  

The change is temporary as we gather feedback about it from users. You can provide your feedback to us through the form that is linked at the top of Health Information @ Himmelfarb or directly here

Screenshot of library catalog search box with arrow pointing at link to feedback form.

We are particularly interested in your satisfaction with search results using the new default scope. If you report issues with other functions through the form we will reach out to you to find a resolution if you supply your email, or you can get immediate help during business hours using our chat service

In addition to feedback form input, we plan to hold a focus group for more insights into how you use Health Information @ Himmelfarb and the impact of the scope change. If you would be willing to participate in a focus group, respond on the feedback form and be sure to include your email address. Participants will be entered into a raffle for a $10 Starbucks gift card.

A phone screen that is open to a page on LinkedIn. In the background, sunlight shines on a wooden surface.

Himmelfarb Library is pleased to announce that we are now on LinkedIn and ready to connect with our users on this professional networking platform. On our LinkedIn profile, you will receive updates on new blog articles that cover a range of topics such as new resources and tools, suggestions to improve scholarly communications, recognition of health and cultural awareness months and classroom management resources or services such as Himmelfarb’s durable link service. Additionally, you will see promotions for upcoming library events, new faculty-authored materials that are added to the library’s collection and other pertinent and professional news related to the health sciences . Our LinkedIn profile will also showcase the professional accomplishments of SMHS, GWSPH and SON faculty members and students. 

In addition to our new LinkedIn profile, Himmelfarb Library is available on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and our news blog, Himmelfarb Library News. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay up to date on new services, resources and other exciting library news. 

Winter's almost over (kind of!), but health is important any time.

Winter’s almost over! . . . or not, depending on how you measure things

Regardless of how much winter we have left, health is important any time of year. 

And it’s true: the components of a healthy life remain the same year-round - sleep, hydration, socialization, nutrition, exercise - only the conditions and obstacles change. 

As winter wanes into spring, the days slowly warm and brighten – but it can still be more difficult to get outside to exercise or socialize, or the cold might encourage unhealthy coping  mechanisms. 

Perhaps it helps to think of the cold as a challenge rather than an undefeatable difficulty. 

We always need to hydrate - but the need to hydrate is more apparent in the summer heat. Winter can be a time for conscious health decisions. 

Similarly, as the seasons warm up, people are more likely to stand around outside or chat with passing acquaintances. Spontaneous social interaction - and social interaction in general - are both markers of positive health outcomes. In winter, it’s useful to ramp up social planning, visit places you’re likely to bump into acquaintances (position yourself for spontaneity at coffee shops or even the Himmelfarb Library :P), or attend winter activities (see items that recur into March and April). 

And those who do seek winter exercise can enjoy the low humidity and lack of bugs. It’s great to plan even a walk in these shorter days, not just because of seasonal effects on mood, but because schedules might preclude seeing any sunshine at all. 

With the right effort, we can make the most of winter as we welcome spring.

References:

Photo by Ethan Hu on Unsplash

A pink background with two empty white chat bubbles.
Photo by Miguel Á. Padriñán

If you’ve spent any time using Himmelfarb Library’s website, you’ve probably seen our Ask Us Chat. This chat reference service is one of the more popular ways Himmelfarb users get answers to their questions. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), it’s natural to wonder if you’re actually speaking to a real person or just a chatbot when you interact with chat services online. 

Screenshot of Himmelfarb Library's website with arrows pointing to the "Ask Us" chat feature on the right side of the page.

Himmelfarb’s Ask Us Chat service is staffed by real people Monday through Thursday from 8am to 8pm, and on Friday from 8am to 5pm. You’re not only chatting with a real person, but you’re chatting with a member of Himmelfarb’s dedicated reference department who are trained and skilled at finding answers to your toughest reference questions! You’ve probably even seen the person you’re chatting with around the library, or leading a webinar or tutorial you’ve watched. They might even be embedded in one of your classes! 

We thought it was time that we introduce ourselves, so you can get to know some of the folks on the other side of the chat who are answering your questions. Without further ado, we’d like you to meet three of our amazing Reference Librarians: Rachel, Tom, and Deborah!

Rachel Brill

Headshot of Rachel Brill

Rachel joined Himmelfarb’s reference and instruction department about two years ago, and has been a vital part of the Himmelfarb team ever since! When asked what her favorite part of working reference at Himmelfarb was, she said “It’s a really special feeling when someone’s been struggling to find that piece of information they need, and I’m able to locate it for them.” When Rachel isn’t at work, she likes to play with her cat and listen to show tunes. 

Rachel wants our library users to know that “there are no ‘stupid’ questions that you can ask us - the Himmelfarb librarians are passionate about helping you learn, so ask away!”

Tom Harrod

Headshot of Tom Harrod

Tom has been with Himmelfarb for about 13 and a half years and is one of the longest-serving reference librarians on staff. He now oversees the Reference and Instruction and Circulation departments at Himmelfarb as Associate Director of Reference, Instruction, and Access. 

Tom’s favorite part of working reference is: “the feeling of knowing you’ve helped someone do something that had previously been a source of anxiety or uncertainty for them.” Tom gave the example of being able to help a student who wants to do a systematic review but doesn’t know what that entails. He enjoys “being able to talk them through the process, breaking it down into discrete steps they can take, and eventually, they have a growing feeling of comfort with the project because they now have a direction to go.”

Tom explained that there’s such a variety of chat questions - some quick questions that can be answered in 30 seconds or less, and other, more complex questions that can go on for multiple hours! Tom shared that “after having answered many chat questions over the years, there’s always something new you’ve never heard before that presents a challenge.”

When asked about his hobbies outside of work, Tom said “I used to have hobbies but instead, I now have a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old child. I am currently able to make some time for reading and last summer I embraced the typical ‘dad’ activity of becoming enthusiastic about BBQing/smoking food on the grill.” 

Tom wants our users to know that “though we do our best to answer every question that comes in via chat, we’re also happy to set up a phone, in-person, or virtual meeting to handle more complicated, in-depth consultations.” Reach out to us via email (himmelfarb@gwu.edu) to schedule a meeting!

Deborah Wassertzug

Headshot of Deborah Wassertzug

Deborah has been a valued member of our reference team since December 2022. Her favorite part of working reference at Himmelfarb is all of the people she comes into contact with, whether online or in person. 

When asked about a memorable chat interaction, she had two to share:

“When I worked at another university, someone signed onto library chat and demanded to know whether I was a human being or a bot. I assured them I was human."

“At GW, my favorite chat interactions turn into consultations! Sometimes there is a quick answer, but other times it is the tip of an iceberg -- it is always fun to get to delve more in-depth with a research project someone is just starting on.”

Outside of work, Deborah enjoys going to a lot of concerts, mostly classical and indie rock. She also writes poetry. Deborah wants our users to know that “Everyone who works at Himmelfarb is truly dedicated to providing the best possible library service and the strongest support for researchers.”

Ask Us! Real People are Waiting to Answer Your Questions!

So now you’ve met some of the real people who answer your Ask Us chat questions every day! Please reach out via chat, email (himmelfarb@gwu.edu), or call us at 202-994-2850 with your questions. Regardless of your preferred method of communication, you’ll be connected to a real person who can answer your questions. And rest assured, we’ll always work to find answers to your toughest questions.

"I do not know that answer right now - but I will do everything in my power to get that information for you. Please hold..."

Black History Month. Image of Dr. Numa P.G. Adams with his name beneath.
Image from Wikipedia.

In honor of Black History Month, Himmelfarb Library celebrates the life of Dr. Numa Pompilius Garfield Adams, the first Black Dean of Howard University’s College of Medicine. Numa P.G. Adams was born in 1885 in Delaplane, Virginia, about 55 miles west of Washington, D.C. His grandmother, Mrs. Amanda Adams, an important figure in Adams’ life, was a respected midwife who assisted in delivering hundreds of babies (Cobb, 1951). According to a 1951 article in the Journal of the National Medical Association, Adams’ grandmother “inspired the beginning of his scientific curiosity” through her “vast knowledge of medicinal herbs” (Cobb, 1951). 

At age 13, Adams’ family moved to Steelton, Pennsylvania. Adams bought a second-hand cornet in Pennsylvania and learned to play (AAREG, n.d.). This musical ability would serve him well later in life when he played in bands to earn the money that would pay his way through college and medical school (Cobb, 1951). Adams attended public school in Pennsylvania and graduated high school with honors in 1905 (Cobb, 1951). After high school, he spent a year working as a substitute teacher in Steelton, followed by a year teaching seventh grade in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (Cobb, 1951).

In 1911, Adams received a bachelor’s degree from Howard University and earned a master’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University in 1912 (Cobb, 1951). Adams served as an instructor, assistant professor, and associate professor of chemistry at Howard University from 1912-1919, and as the head of the Department of Chemistry from 1918 to 1919 (Cobb, 1951). Adams left Howard University to begin medical school at Rush Medical College in the Spring of 1920 and received an M.D. after completing an internship at St. Louis City Hospital No. 2 in 1924 (Cobb, 1951).

In 1929, Adams became the first Black dean of Howard University College of Medicine, a role he would have until he died in 1940 (Lloyd, 2006). He is largely remembered for his fervent recruitment of young faculty members, specifically young Black faculty. Through funding from the General Education Board, Adams was able to send these young Black faculty members for “two years of advanced training at prestigious universities and hospitals around the country” (Lloyd, 2006). Dr. Charles Drew was among the faculty members Adams recruited into this program. During his final years as Dean, Adams was instrumental in integrating Howard University and Freedman’s Hospital (AAREG, n.d). 

Adams also continued to work on projects outside of the medical school. Adams was active in numerous professional organizations. He served as Chairman of the Commission on Medical Education and was a member of the Advisory Committee on the Legislation of the National Medical Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Hygiene Society, and the National Tuberculosis Association just to name a few (Maloney, 1940). 

Adams was a staunch supporter of medical libraries, and when he was shown plans for the Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis, “he quietly pointed out that he saw no provision for a library and a first-class hospital must have a good library” (Cobb, 1951). Adams even published a piece in the Journal of the National Medical Association titled “Medical Libraries in Approved Hospitals for Negroes” in 1938. In this article, he states: 

“No investment of hospital funds will produce bigger or better income than that made in the blossoming and maintenance of an adequate medical library. For an approved hospital the provision of such a library is an obligation.” (Adams, 1938)

Adams died on August 29, 1940, at Billings Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Maloney said of Adams in a published memorial that Adams was a “builder of brains” and the “builder and conservator of health” (Maloney, 1940). Adams was highly thought of by those who knew him, including Dr. Robert A. Lambert, former Associate Medical Director of The Rockefeller Foundation. Lambert stated that his “estimate of Dr. Adams may be summarily expressed in the designation man of wisdom, fine sensibility, clear judgment, patient determination, and courageous action” (Cobb, 1951). Dr. Joseph L. Johnson, former Dean of Howard University School of Medicine stated that “to know Numa Adams was to respect, to admire, and to love him. He was of a brilliant mind and was always the quiet, unassuming, soft-spoken gentleman. One could never know of his greatness from his lips” (Cobby, 1951).

References:

Adams N. P. (1938). Medical Libraries in Approved Hospitals for Negroes. Journal of the National Medical Association, 30(2), 49–53.

African American Registry (AAREG). (n.d.). Numa P.G. Adams, doctor, and educator born. AAREG Stories. https://aaregistry.org/story/numa-p-g-adams-born/

Cobb, W.M. (1951). Numa P. G. Adams, M.D., 1885-1940. Journal of the National Medical Association, 43(1), 42–54.

Lloyd, Jr., S.M. (Last updated May 2006). History. Howard University College of Medicine. https://medicine.howard.edu/about/history

Maloney A. H. (1940). In Memoriam: Numa Pompilius Garfield Adams. Journal of the National Medical Association, 32(6), 257–258.

In its January 19th issue, Science reported on the increasingly aggressive and corrupt methods that paper mills are employing to get bogus research published in respected journals. You can listen to the Science podcast for an interview with the author of the article, Frederik Joelving from Retraction Watch

Last year Nicholas Wise, a fluid dynamics researcher at Cambridge with an interest in scientific fraud, found Facebook postings by Olive Academic (a Chinese paper mill) offering substantial payments to journal editors to accept papers for publication. Further digging revealed payments of up to $20,000 and a list of more than 50 journal editors who had signed on. Wise and other experts in scientific fraud joined up with Science and Retraction Watch to investigate if this was an isolated incident or more widespread. They found similar activity by several other paper mills and more than 30 editors of reputable journals who were complicit. Publishers like Elsevier and Taylor and Francis say they are under siege, admitting that their journal editors are regularly approached with bribes from paper mills.

Special editions of journals were found to be most vulnerable to these scams because they are often edited by individuals or teams separate from the regular editorial boards. The investigation found that paper mills will at times engineer entire special issues themselves. “The latest generation papermill, they’re like the entire production line” (Joelving, 2024). Open access special issues can generate large profits for publishers based on the fees collected from authors, sometimes via paper mills. Wiley, Elsevier and other well known publishers have had regular journal editors involved in these special issue scams.

As a result of the investigation Hindawi and its parent company Wiley pulled thousands of papers in special issues due to compromised peer review and Wiley announced in December that the Hindawi brand would be suspended. The Hindawi retracted papers had ties to Tamjeed Publishing that acted as a broker between paper mills and multiple editors. 

The need to publish to advance in certain professions becomes especially problematic in places where students or young professionals cannot easily attain the training or resources to do research that is publishable. This creates the market for paper mills. More than half of Chinese medical residents surveyed in a preprint referred to in the Science story said they had engaged in research misconduct such as buying papers or fabricating results. The Financial Times reported last year on how widespread the problem is in China and how it “threatens to overwhelm the editorial processes of a significant number of journals.”(Olcott and Smith, 2023)

It’s not just a problem in China. India, Russia, a number of ex-Soviet countries and Saudi Arabia are also common sources of paper mills engaging in these practices. There is concern that papers coming from these countries will start to draw extra scrutiny, creating potential inequities for researchers from them.

Though there is now increased awareness and a desire by reputable publishers to crack down on fraud, it is difficult and time consuming to do. The exponential growth of peer review fraud and sham papers make it all but impossible to ferret out all the publications that should be retracted. An analysis by Nature late last year concluded that over 10,000 articles were retracted in 2023 with retractions rising at a rate that far exceeds the growth of scientific papers. And they speculate it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Retraction Watch alerts of retracted articles are available for Himmelfarb Library users when searching Health Information @ Himmelfarb, the library catalog, and when using the LibKey Nomad browser extension or BrowZine to connect to full-text. Read more about the service.

Sources

Joelving, F. (2024). Paper trail. Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science), 383(6680), 252–255. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ado0309

Olcott, E., & Smith, A. (2023). China’s fake science industry: how ‘paper mills’ threaten progress. FT.Com. https://wrlc-gwahlth.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01WRLC_GWAHLTH/1c5oj26/cdi_proquest_reports_2791535957

Van Noorden, R. (2023). More than 10,000 research papers were retracted in 2023 - a new record.  Nature, 624, 479-481. www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-03974-8