Powering artificial intelligence comes with a massive energy bill attached. Professor Wolfgang Maaß and his research team at Saarland University and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) want to make AI up to 90% percent more energy efficient. To improve AI’s carbon footprint, the Saarbrücken team is rethinking data centres, large language models and image analysis models – and their research is opening up access to powerful AI models for small and medium-sized companies. From 31 March to 4 April, the researchers will be at this year’s Hannover Messe showcasing their work at the stand of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (Hall 2, Stand A18).

Nature-based solutions like restoring mangroves, and hybrid solutions, protect vulnerable shorelines. However, they need careful planning to be effective. A new GIS-based tool, combined with varied experts’ input, has identified the best shoreline stabilization methods for the Florida Keys. Findings show that about 8% of coastline is suitable for nature-based or hybrid solutions, while 25.1% is unsuitable, and 67% is already vegetated or naturally protected. The tool integrates data on shoreline types, environmental factors and wave exposure to guide decisions on shoreline protection.

A breakthrough in biomedical research is reshaping the way scientists study human biology. Assembloids—advanced 3D tissue models that integrate multiple organoids or specialized cell types—are unlocking new dimensions in developmental biology, disease modeling, and drug discovery by more closely mimicking the complex cellular interactions within human tissues. A recent review categorizes assembloids into four key assembly strategies—multi-region, multi-lineage, multi-gradient, and multi-layer—each designed to better simulate complex biological processes with unprecedented accuracy. By bridging the gap between simplified organoids and the intricate architecture of human tissues, assembloids are poised to transform our understanding of health and disease.

A significant amount of the milk used in a popular cooking cheese can be substituted with plants, all while maintaining its taste and texture. Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have demonstrated this by creating a hybrid version of paneer, a popular South Asian cheese, with twenty-five percent pea protein. The result is a solid step towards more sustainable dairy products with nutritional benefits.