Roughly 2.5 million studies conveying innovative discoveries and solutions are published each year, backed by huge investments. But, these analyses can rarely be authenticated or proven accurate, writes NYIT President Hank Foley, Ph.D., in an op-ed published in Scientific American.

This is where the emerging information technology blockchain may come to the rescue. By authenticating and certifying published research data using the blockchain, the scientific community could reduce errors and regain the public’s confidence, Foley writes.

“Every year, our nation funnels billions of dollars into research that is then used to make crucial policy decisions with even larger implications in lives and dollars. It’s imperative that science give us facts, not false impressions,” he says.

Scientists already have the ability to share raw data prior to the publication of their studies—but have few venues and little incentive to do so. Blockchain would make sharing, authenticating, and certifying information much faster and easier—and render it nearly impossible to alter data.