• Warning : the first paragraph may contain some information that is not only scientifically valid * * *

Research published in theAmerican Research Journal of Biosciencesreveals something strange go on when humans run into maximal rapidity – or Warp 10 . Within 96 hr , the test guinea pig develop allergies to water and show signs of mutation , though it does n’t pretend their fertility or viability of offspring . in the end , Lewis Zimmerman , subject area author , concludes maximum celerity provokes “ strikingly rapid developmental change in morphology even in mammalian systems ” .

Except , look a minute .

That ’s fundamentally the plot of a Star Trek episode . ( Star Trek : Voyager " Threshold " , to be accurate . ) The season two episode , first bare in 1996 , follows Starfleet Lieutenant Tom Paris as he successfully breaks the transwarp barrierto extend to Warp 10 in a shuttlecraft peculiarly rigged for the social function .

Warning : spoilers .

Unfortunately for Paris , the feat sets off a rapid evolutionary process that turns him into an amphibian - comparable being . When informed of this new maturation , Paris escapes in a shuttle soar at speeds of Warp 10 and forces an abducted Captain Janeway to come along for the ride . They are found by the repose of the bunch just a few days later , at which point they have fully germinate intoslimy Brown University lizardssurrounded by their ( presumptively ) insensate - full-blooded offspring .

But the real story here is how this – clearly imitation – study make out to be publish in a “ scientific discipline ” diary and accepted by a further three . While it is undeniably uproarious , it is clearly concern and reveals serious flaws in the paper selection process , specifically that of predatory journal .

Predatory journals ( like the American Research Journal of Biosciences ) exist to make money from less - established scientists who make up to have their work published and seen , but do n’t put up a thorough scientific review of the subject area they incur . By doing so , they undermine the authority of legitimate journal , which is especially worry at a time when politicians are happy todismiss sciencewhenever it ’s convenient .

“ Zimmerman ” – in reality , a biologist with 30 years ’ experience – paid $ 50 to have his tricksy paper published in the daybook . He submit it to a further nine journals distrust of being predatory .

The work source had been enliven by a standardized stunt pulled last year . The 2017 falsified newspaper “ examine ” a species of microscopical but intelligent life mannikin called “ midi - chlorians ” that live only in the Star Wars universe of discourse . Zimmerman ( a playpen name ) chose to base his newspaper on his preferred sci - fi enfranchisement : Star Trek .

Predatory journal “ are basically counterfeit journals , mimicking the expression and feel of lawful online journals , but with the odd goal of making comfortable money , " Jeffrey Beall , a enquiry librarian at the University of Colorado , toldSpace.com .

Beall used to keep an on-line listing of such diary but it ’s since been charter down . An archived variation can be foundhere .