Research news

Even the most advanced AI language models – known as large language models – can go badly astray on logic-based tasks. Calculations may be wrong, sequences misordered, or the AI may hallucinate and fabricate figures or quotations. Computational linguist Michael Hahn has already produced promising research findings that address these problems. For this work, he has now been awarded the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize by the German Research Foundation. [...]

Quantum networks have gained increasing prominence in the research community in recent years. Not only do they have the potential to strengthen the security of critical infrastructure they may also enable new applications –from the secure interconnection of quantum computers through to a future quantum internet. Such networks rely on devices known as quantum repeaters. [...]

Quantencomputer können manches besser als klassische Computer, aber vieles eben auch noch nicht. Wissenschaftler der Saar-Universität wollen nun gemeinsam mit den Industriepartnern BMW, Infineon und dem Quantencomputer-Start-up planqc beide Welten zusammenbringen. Ein Quantencomputer soll klassischen Rechnern dabei helfen, hochkomplexe Optimierungsherausforderungen aus dem Industrie-Alltag zu bewältigen. Gefördert wird das Projekt mit 2,3 Millionen Euro vom Bundesforschungsministerium. [...]

Krebs ist die zweithäufigste Todesursache in den westlichen Ländern. Häufig entsteht der Eindruck, unser Körper sei dieser Krankheit schutzlos ausgeliefert. Der menschliche Organismus ist jedoch durchaus in der Lage, Krebszellen über lange Zeit erfolgreich zu bekämpfen. Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler der Universität des Saarlandes haben nun einen solchen körpereigenen Abwehrmechanismus gegen Krebs entdeckt. Er könnte Grundlage für neue Therapien sein. [...]

Viele Erkrankungen, von chronischen Wunden etwa infolge von Diabetes bis hin zu Herz-Kreislauf-Erkrankungen, entstehen, weil geschädigtes Gewebe im Körper nicht mehr stabil aufgebaut werden kann. Statt zu heilen, wird die körpereigene Struktur durch ein Ungleichgewicht in den körpereigenen Regulationsmechanismen zunehmend abgebaut. Ein Forschungsteam der Universität des Saarlandes hat nun gemeinsam mit Partnern ein Gel entwickelt, das diesen Prozess stoppen und so die Heilung beschleunigen kann. [...]

Adults with ADHD often have difficulty concentrating and structuring their daily lives. Many people with ADHD require therapy, yet places for the service are scarce. According to a recent clinical study involving 337 adults, a digital intervention can provide immediate support and has been shown to be as effective as behavioural therapy. Saarland University's Roberto D'Amelio was the study's lead author and the renowned journal Psychological Medicine published the study's findings. [...]

Scientists from Saarland University, RPTU Kaiserslautern–Landau, VIB-VUB Brussels and collaborating institutions have discovered that important enzymes in our cells, known as peroxiredoxins, can combine more flexibly than previously assumed. The discovery shows how cells create molecular diversity and fine-tune stress responses.
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Innovative materials could help to reduce the energy consumption of electrical devices, allowing drones to fly longer and e-bikes to travel further. By introducing components made from metallic glass into electric motors, researchers aim to minimize energy losses during motor operation. Professor Ralf Busch and his team at Saarland University have developed new alloys for just this purpose. [...]

A Saarland University study is taking a look at how courts and IT experts might handle smart contracts in the future – before a real case is even on the docket. Researchers and legal professionals simulated a court case as a part of a project entitled Industry 4.0. On 18 March at 3 p.m., the Institute for Legal Informatics at Saarland University under the leadership of Professor Georg Borges will present the simulation study 'Smart Contracts' in Frankfurt am Main. [...]

The protein IMP2 plays a pivotal role in tumour growth. A research team led by Professor Alexandra K. Kiemer from Saarland University has discovered that when immune cells, known as macrophages, produce this protein in the immediate vicinity of cancer cells, the tumour grows faster under laboratory conditions. The team suspects that the protein makes it easier for macrophages to infiltrate the tumour and promote its growth. [...]