ASM incorporates Imagetwin to address image duplication and preserve scientific accuracy

Image duplication in scientific articles-accidental or intentional-undermines trust in research, authors, institutions, and publishers. Duplications not only cast doubt on researchers' scientific rigor, but they also raise concerns about potential misconduct, jeopardizing careers and even calling into question the effectiveness of the peer review process and editorial oversight. Ultimately, these issues erode confidence in the published study and, more broadly, the entire scientific community. However, when combined with expert in-house staff verification and artificial intelligence-based tools like Imagetwin, Proofig, etc., publishers can detect potential image duplications before publication and strengthen the integrity of the scientific record. In 2023, the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Journals program integrated Imagetwin into its editorial workflow and conducted a 1-year pilot study. Here, we present key findings and highlight how ASM Journals refined its processes to incorporate image duplication screening earlier in the manuscript lifecycle. The pilot identified image duplications prior to publication in 3.9% of accepted, eligible manuscripts screened with Imagetwin. Most image concerns were unintentional and readily resolved. Of the 2,627 accepted manuscripts screened during the pilot, acceptance was revoked for six (0.23%) due to unresolved issues. It is now a key component of the routine ethics checks performed by ASM journals.