A more recent famous example of false discoveries is the finding of a new particle called the pentaquark in experiments performed at accelerator laboratories in the mid-2000s. The pentaquark supposedly consists of four quarks and an antiquark bound together—a much different particle than the three quarks making up proton and neutron. Viewing the plots that were published in the literature between 2003 and 2005, we see a significant excess of events for the pentaquark, reaching almost 5 sigma—the gold-plated standard for the confirmation of new particles. Yet, further data and more detailed analysis again made the particle disappear.

Some are so eristical and teasty, that they will not ... bear with any that dissent.

a swimming lane

She wove a beautiful basket out of reeds.