Thanks. For this that don't want to have to click through:
Gemini is an application-level client-server internet protocol for the distribution of arbitrary files, with some special consideration for serving a lightweight hypertext format which facilitates linking between hosted files. Both the protocol and the format are deliberately limited in capabilities and scope, and the protocol is technically conservative, being built on mature, standardised, familiar, "off-the-shelf" technologies like URIs, MIME media types and TLS. Simplicity and finite scope are very intentional design decisions motivated by placing a high priority on user autonomy, user privacy, ease of implementation in diverse computing environments, and defensive non-extensibility. In short, it is something like a radically stripped down web stack. See section 4 of this FAQ document for questions relating to the design of Gemini.
I don't know why, but in my browser, the closing quote is showed correctly (forward slanting) in the edit box, but backwards slanting when submitted. Weird.
Shifting the topic from research misconduct to good laboratory practices, I don't really understand how someone would forget to take pictures of their gels often enough that they would feel it necessary to fake data. (I think you're recounting something you saw someone else do, so this isn't criticizing you.) The only reason to run the experiment to collect data. If there's no data in hand, why would they think the experiment was done? Also, they should be working from a written protocol or a short-form checklist so each item can be ticked off as it is completed. And they should record where they put their data and other research materials in their lab notebook, and copy any work (data or otherwise) to a file server or other redundant storage, before leaving for the day. So much has to go wrong to get to research misconduct and fraud from the starting point of a little forgetfulness.
I mean, I've seen people deliberately choose to discard their data and keep no notes, even when I offered to give them a flash drive with their data on it, so I understand that this sort of thing happens. It's still senseless.
I wouldn't have an issue with sharing information with advertisers if it were solely for promotional purposes. However, the concerning part is that all data is up for grabs to anyone willing to pay for it, including scammers and the like. It's somewhat absurd that we have to protect something as simple as our birthdays, which should ideally be just harmless numbers with no potential for misuse. Unfortunately, the actual situation is far from reassuring, the surveillance nature of the internet is slowly taking shape. Sometimes I wonder if the digital identity problem could ever be solved and whether that will usher us under complete surveillance.
