Research news

Human languages are complex, rich and varied. From an information-theoretic perspective, however, they could convey the same information in a much more compact form. So why don't we speak 'digitally', encoding information in strings of ones and zeros like a computer? Michael Hahn, a linguist from Saarbrücken, has explored this question together with a research colleague from the US. They have developed a model that explains why we speak the way we do. [...]

For the past eight years, medical researchers at RWTH Aachen University, Saarland University and their respective university hospitals have been investigating the connection between kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular conditions often develop as a consequence of kidney disease, which means that the risk of dying from a cardiovascular illness is significantly higher among kidney patients than among people with healthy kidneys. [...]

AI assistants have rapidly become part of everyday life – whether through our interactions with large language models like ChatGPT or in medical applications that help interpret complex datasets. Yet, despite their widespread use, AI systems still make surprisingly simple mistakes that persist even after extensive training. They also lack the ability to think logically or to truly 'understand' nested input. For Michael Hahn the problem lies in the architecture itself. [...]

Ob ein Knochenbruch heilt, lässt sich mit handelsüblichen Messgeräten schnell und einfach überwachen – mit Licht statt schädlicher Röntgenstrahlung. Die Deutsche Gesellschaft für Unfallchirurgie (DGU) zeichnete Professorin Bergita Ganse und ihre Doktoranden Oana Maria Scholz und Cedric Nowicki für diese neue Methode auf dem Deutschen Kongress für Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie mit dem Innovationspreis aus. [...]

Outstanding research performance in academia is often measured by how frequently a scholar’s work is cited by others. Each year, the ‘Highly Cited Researchers’ list recognizes leading experts in specific fields whose publications are among the most frequently cited worldwide. This year, three researchers from Saarland University have once again earned a place on the prestigious list, reflecting their exceptional academic reputation. [...]

When writing program code, software developers often work in pairs—a practice that reduces errors and encourages knowledge sharing. Increasingly, AI assistants are now being used for this role. But this shift in working practice isn’t without its drawbacks, as a new empirical study by computer scientists in Saarbrücken reveals. Developers tend to scrutinize AI-generated code less critically and they learn less from it. These findings will be presented at a major scientific conference in Seoul. [...]

In the treatment of larger narrowed blood vessels, drug-coated balloon catheters have been shown to deliver lasting and effective outcomes. Their minimally invasive nature makes them a viable alternative to stents. These findings, from a research team led by cardiologist Professor Bruno Scheller at Saarland University, have now been validated by an international study involving over 3,300 patients. [...]

3D-printed objects that can change colour like a chameleon. Promising new treatment options in the fight against multi-resistant germs. Prediction models that forecast which cancer drug will work best for a patient. The effect social media influencers on consumers. These are examples of the topics researched by the young scientists who were awarded Eduard Martin Prizes by the Universitätsgesellschaft des Saarlandes e.V. (University Society). [...]

With autumn comes the return of cold viruses. Respiratory viruses include the RS virus, which can be particularly dangerous for newborns, older people and people with weakened immune systems. For the latter group, which includes people with chronic diseases and transplanted organs, there has been no reliable data on whether and how vaccine against RSV works. Scientists at Saarland University have now closed this gap and published the study in the American Journal of Transplantation. [...]

Pericarditis—an inflammation of the pericardium—is treatable if diagnosed early. Left undetected, however, it can become life-threatening. In some cases, the condition subsides only to return months later. Researchers from Italy and Germany have now identified a new link behind such recurrent pericarditis. Central to their findings is a naturally occurring substance in the body that disrupts anti-inflammatory processes. [...]