Retraction: Improved Cellular Specificity of Plasmonic Nanobubbles versus Nanoparticles in Heterogeneous Cell Systems.

Following publication, concerns were raised about similarities between two figures in this PLOS ONE publication [1] and images published by the same corresponding author in the Journal of Surgical Research [2] and ACS Nano [3].

PLOS ONE Figure 3c [1], is similar to Journal of Surgical Research Figure 4a [2] and ACS Nano Figure 4c [3]. The voltage values in PLOS ONE Figure 3c [1] and Journal of Surgical Research Figure 4a [2] are identical if the time coordinates are offset by 6 ns. Comparing PLOS ONE Figure 3c [1] and ACS Nano Figure 4c [3], the traces appear identical except in the 0–25 ns interval, and the unit labels on both x- and y-axes differ between the two figures.

PLOS ONE Figure 3d [1] is similar to the original published version of Journal of Surgical Research Figure 4d [2]. The traces are identical when offset on the x-axis and scaled in the y-axis, and the trace appears to include a segment that is repeated three times within each figure.

The authors noted that errors were made during preparation of the figures in the PLOS ONE article, and claim that both sets of figures were used in these articles as illustrative examples of the presence or absence of a single plasmonic nanobubble event by showing typical individual time-responses. An erratum was published in the Journal of Surgical Research in 2015, providing a new image for Figure 4d [4].

The Rice University Office of Research investigated these concerns and concluded that there was evidence of data falsification involving Figures 3c and 3d of the PLOS ONE article. Due to the concerns about image duplication and data falsification, and in line with Rice University’s recommendation, the PLOS ONE Editors retract this article.