Misinformation fuelled by ‘tsunami’ of poor research, says science prize winner

Dutch microbiologist Elisabeth Bik, winner of prestigious John Maddox prize, says trust in science is being undermined

A tsunami" of poor quality research is fuelling misinformation and could undermine trust in science, the winner of the prestigious John Maddox prize has warned.

Elisabeth Bik, a Dutch microbiologist turned science sleuth who on Wednesday evening won the John Maddox prize for standing up for science in the face of harassment, intimidation and lawsuits, said the intense pressure to publish papers is leading to a dilution" of the quality of scientific literature.