A very good morning to all,…
Here we are with our next article based on current news which contains some difficult words, we will highlight and explain those words in order to improve your vocabulary skills and to have a good command on English language section. Hope this will help you with your preparation.
Article : The sullying of scientific literature
Source : The Hindu Article
In a rare and highly commendable (सराहनीय) move that has sent out a strong message to the Indian scientific community, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has dismissed a senior scientist working at its Chandigarh-based Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH) over serious charges of data fabrication (संरचना) in at least seven papers published in peer-reviewed journals. At least three papers published in 2013 in the journal PLOS ONE were retracted once preliminary investigation carried out at IMTECH revealed that the data were cooked up. Though Swaranjit Singh Cameotra was not directly involved in data fabrication, his complicity in the scientific misconduct became clear. The scale of misconduct by Dr. Cameotra is way lower in comparison to the South Korean stem cell researcher Hwang Woo-suk and the Japanese stem cell researcher Haruko Obokata, but it is nevertheless significant. A senior member is responsible for data produced by his team. As the U.S. Office of Research Integrity (अखंडता) (ORI) has laid down, being complicit in multiple instances (उदाहरणों) of scientific misconduct merits firm action. An editor of one of the retracted (मुकर) papers said the reviewers were unable to spot the fabrication as the “data appeared solid”, though all the three papers had the same theme of a bacterium (जीवाणु) isolated (पृथक) from a natural environment metabolising certain chemicals. It is, however, quite surprising that no one at IMTECH suspected any foul play as the scientist published 15 papers in 2013.
The only bright spot in the otherwise sorry episode has been IMTECH’s readiness and willingness to get to the root of the problem rather than brushing the allegations under the carpet, as many scientific institutions in India regularly do. One of the biggest handicaps that journal editors face when confronted with evidence of scientific misconduct by Indian researchers is non-cooperation by institutions in thoroughly investigating such matters. This is the reason why certain fraudulent (धोखाधड़ी) practices by Indian scientists have seldom (कभी कभी) been exposed. One of the best ways to tackle this ill is to set up a nodal body on the lines of the ORI in the U.S. Any case of scientific misconduct brought to its notice should be investigated by the respective institutions and the matter taken to its logical conclusion. A body on the lines of the ORI should also be actively involved in “preventing misconduct and promoting research integrity through expanded education programmes”. This will go a long way in reducing instances of misconduct by scientists. It will also greatly help to reduce the amount of trash that sullies (दूषित करना) scientific literature and prevent other serious researchers from wasting their time repeating meaningless experiments.
Meaning of the words highlighted in the article
1. Commendable (adjective) – deserving praise
Synonyms – admirable, praisable
Antonyms – unworthy, blameworthy
Ex: He is the author of some commendable verses.
2. Fabrication (noun)– the action or process of manufacturing or inventing something
Synonyms – deceit, artifact
Antonyms – reality, entertainment
Ex: The fabrication of paper out of wood is also rapidly growing.
3.Integrity (noun)– the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles
Synonyms – purity, rectitude
Antonyms – disgrace, corruption
Ex: Would I like to feel I could trust my government to behave with integrity and always tell me the truth?
4. Instances (noun) – an example or single occurrence of something
Synonyms – particular, specimen
Ex: This will create a cascading effect, once energy, for instance, is free, it will make precious metals free.
5. Retracted (verb) – draw or be drawn back or back in
Synonyms – rescind, abjure
Antonyms – enforce, sanction
Ex: Then he evidently retracted his favourable judgment, why I do not know.
6. Bacterium (noun) – a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some which can cause disease
Synonyms – follicle, utricle
Ex: Applies only to the bacterium or toxin used in its production.
7. Isolated (adjective) – far away from other places, buildings, or people, remote
Synonyms – screened, stranded
Antonyms – cherished, included
Ex: I remembered how isolated these roads were, but I forgot how dangerous they were.
8. Fraudulent (adjective) – obtained, done by, or involving deception, especially criminal deception
Synonyms –tricky, crafty
Antonyms – sincere, authentic
Ex: Concurrently fraudulent imitation has regrettably increased.
9. Seldom (adverb) –not often, rarely
Synonyms –occasionally, whimsically
Antonyms – frequently, often
Ex: Lisa had no trouble understanding why she seldom had company.
10. Sullies (verb) – damage the purity or integrity of
Synonyms –besmirch, smudge
Antonyms – esteem, sterilize
Ex: There is good anchorage between Barry and Sully islands.
Word of the Day
Acrimonious
Meaning (English) – (typically of speech or discussion) angry and bitter
Meaning (Hindi) – उग्र
Synonyms – caustic, petulant
Antonyms – mild, kind
Example – The Kenyan parliament approves a draft constitution, after nearly 20 years of acrimonious debate.
उदाहरण –कीनियाई संसद ने संविधान के मसौदे को लगभग 20 वर्षों के कटुतापूर्ण वाद-विवाद के उपरांत अनुमोदित कर दिया।
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