Journal Retracts Climate Study After Discovering Errors in Uzbekistan’s Economic Data

The scientific journal Nature has retracted a high-profile article on the economic impacts of climate change after significant inaccuracies were discovered in economic data related to Uzbekistan. The study, originally published online on April 17, 2024, examined how rising global temperatures could affect economic output by mid-century. According to the retraction notice, the dataset contained serious errors in Uzbekistan’s economic indicators from 1995 to 1999, which substantially altered the study’s findings. The authors acknowledged that the results were highly sensitive to the inclusion of Uzbekistan. Upon review, they found the country’s reported economic figures during that period were inaccurate. They also noted additional complications, including inconsistencies caused by transitions between data sources, and the failure to fully account for long-term economic trends. Another methodological issue, spatial auto-correlation, which affects uncertainty estimates, had not been incorporated into the original analysis. Once the authors corrected the dataset and adjusted their methodology, the study’s conclusions changed significantly. Specifically, the projected range of climate-related economic damages by 2050 shifted from 11-29% to a broader 6-31%. The statistical likelihood that damages would differ significantly under various emissions scenarios by mid-century also fell, from 99% to 90%. Due to the scale of these changes, the authors concluded that a simple correction was insufficient and opted for a full retraction. A revised version of the study, updated with corrected data and improved methodology, has been made publicly available but has not yet undergone peer review. The authors plan to resubmit the article, and Nature has stated it will update the retraction notice if the revised version is accepted for publication. The researchers thanked the members of the scientific community who identified the discrepancies, and emphasized the importance of transparent corrections in climate science.

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics Launches Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications Journal

Kazakhstan’s Institute of Nuclear Physics has officially launched a new international scientific journal, Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications. The presentation of the first issue took place at the Institute’s headquarters and marks a significant step in the country's efforts to promote nuclear research and academic exchange on a global scale. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the journal is designed as a high-level international platform that integrates both fundamental and applied research in nuclear science and technology. It aims to foster open knowledge exchange and collaboration across borders. The inaugural issue, published in March 2025, features six peer-reviewed articles covering current topics in nuclear science. The journal will be published quarterly in English, in March, June, September, and December, and will follow international academic publishing standards. All submitted articles undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process, and the journal is fully open access via its official website. The publication is also seeking inclusion in major global scientific databases such as Scopus and Web of Science. The editorial board consists of more than ten recognized experts from eight countries: Russia, Italy, Japan, the United States, Turkey, Poland, Romania, and Kazakhstan, reflecting the journal’s international scope and ambitions. Sayabek Sakhiev, Director General of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, emphasized the significance of the launch: “We have been working towards creating the journal for more than a year. This is the result of serious and purposeful work. Today we have big plans and high expectations. We strictly follow international standards and are confident that Advances in Nuclear Science and Applications will take its rightful place in world science.” The journal’s Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Mikhail Itkis, has also extended an invitation to early-career scientists, encouraging young researchers to submit their work for publication in upcoming issues.