Good institutional practice fosters research reproducibility (see C. G. Begley et al. Nature 525, 25–27; 2015). But individuals still have a responsibility to work with their institutes by practising research with integrity.

Scientists are encouraged to be open about their research, which makes unpublished junior scientists particularly vulnerable to intellectual-property theft. This can be a risk when seeking out collaborations, presenting at conferences and submitting manuscripts for review, and even after employment interviews.

We are all subject to the same frailties and pressures, but we are members of a community with a common goal. We cannot always own originality, but we must show respect for it.