Fapesp

FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

News

Research funded by FAPESP aligned with the SDGs

News

Research funded by FAPESP aligned with the SDGs

Electronic cigarettes alter the composition of saliva, increasing the risk of oral diseases
SDG 3
Electronic cigarettes alter the composition of saliva, increasing the risk of oral diseases

Researchers from São Paulo State University and collaborators studied 50 young people with an average age of between 26 and 27. The goal was to find biomarkers that allow early detection of health changes.


Method uses drone and low-cost camera to select drought-tolerant plants
SDG 2
Method uses drone and low-cost camera to select drought-tolerant plants

Images taken from an unmanned aerial vehicle, processed with free software, help assess water stress parameters in corn experiments and select varieties that are better adapted to water shortages.


Edible biofilm based on pomegranate peel extract extends the shelf life of strawberries
SDG 9
Edible biofilm based on pomegranate peel extract extends the shelf life of strawberries

Fruit coated with the material developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo showed 11% less weight loss during storage and took longer to start becoming contaminated by fungi.


Firefly light gives rise to sensor that detects cellular alterations
SDG 3, SDG 9
Firefly light gives rise to sensor that detects cellular alterations

An enzyme cloned from an insect found by Brazilian researchers – and genetically modified – makes it possible to monitor intracellular acidity and could be used to study diseases and drugs.


Weight training protects older people’s brains against dementia, study suggests
SDG 3
Weight training protects older people’s brains against dementia, study suggests

The study, conducted at the State University of Campinas, involved 44 people with mild cognitive impairment. After six months, the volunteers who practiced strength training showed improvements in memory and brain anatomy, while the others showed a decline in the parameters evaluated.


Anthropology and artificial intelligence used to transform corporate listening
SDG 9
Anthropology and artificial intelligence used to transform corporate listening

Tool allows issues such as harassment to be identified before they become critical, enabling companies to take preventive action.


Brazilian companies begin to explore quantum computing applications
SDG 9
Brazilian companies begin to explore quantum computing applications

The Albert Einstein Jewish Brazilian Hospital, in São Paulo, creates research group to evaluate potential uses of the technology; the project was presented during FAPESP Week Germany.


Studies evaluate the health effects of bioactive compounds obtained from plants
SDG 3
Studies evaluate the health effects of bioactive compounds obtained from plants

Researchers from Brazil and Germany study the mechanism of action of phytochemicals from papaya, passion fruit and medicinal plant extracts; results were presented at FAPESP Week Germany.


Scientific freedom faces a number of threats and challenges, says researcher
SDG 16, SDG 17
Scientific freedom faces a number of threats and challenges, says researcher

Illiberal and authoritarian governments, economic power and digital media are some of the problems facing scientists, says São Paulo State University professor Murilo Gaspardo in a lecture during FAPESP Week Germany.


International context favors expansion of scientific cooperation between Brazil and Germany
SDG 17
International context favors expansion of scientific cooperation between Brazil and Germany

The assessment was made by participants at the opening ceremony of FAPESP Week in the country.


Scientific cooperation is strategic for Brazil to strengthen relations with Europe
SDG 17
Scientific cooperation is strategic for Brazil to strengthen relations with Europe

This assessment was made by the Brazilian Ambassador to Germany, Roberto Jaguaribe, during a reception for the participants of FAPESP Week Germany.


Cooperation between Germany and Brazil in the social sciences has become more symmetrical
SDG 16, SDG 17
Cooperation between Germany and Brazil in the social sciences has become more symmetrical

German researchers are increasingly interested in topics studied in Brazilian academia, such as indigenous and black feminist thought, said Brazilian researcher Sérgio Costa, Chair of Sociology at the Institute for Latin American Studies of the Free University of Berlin, in an interview with Agência FAPESP. He was one of the speakers at FAPESP Week Germany.


New geospatial intelligence methodology makes land use management more accurate and faster
SDG 2
New geospatial intelligence methodology makes land use management more accurate and faster

A technique developed by researchers at São Paulo State University was tested in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso and more accurately delineated areas of natural vegetation and agricultural production by crop type; the results showed 95% accuracy in mapping.


By 2100, more than 80% of amphibian species in and around the Pantanal will lose suitable habitat
SDG 13, SDG 15
By 2100, more than 80% of amphibian species in and around the Pantanal will lose suitable habitat

A study by Brazilian and Swiss researchers predicts that even in an optimistic greenhouse gas emissions scenario, 99% of the area of the Upper Paraguay River Basin will be lost.


FAPESP seeks to attract world-renowned scientific institutions to São Paulo
SDG 17
FAPESP seeks to attract world-renowned scientific institutions to São Paulo

Foundation launches new program to promote the creation of international research centers (CIPs) in universities and institutes in São Paulo.


Aerobic exercise in the evening has more benefits for older hypertensive patients than morning exercise
SDG 3
Aerobic exercise in the evening has more benefits for older hypertensive patients than morning exercise

This is the conclusion of a study conducted at the University of São Paulo with 23 volunteers. The data show that only evening workouts regulated so-called baroreflex sensitivity – a mechanism that compensates for sudden changes in blood pressure.


Even the mild form of COVID-19 tends to cause an imbalance in the cardiovascular system and requires attention
SDG 3
Even the mild form of COVID-19 tends to cause an imbalance in the cardiovascular system and requires attention

In a study of 130 volunteers conducted at the Federal University of São Carlos, a drastic decrease in heart rate variability, i.e. the heart’s ability to adapt to environmental and physiological demands, was observed – up to six weeks after infection.


Intelligent management system sizes and controls inventory in real time
SDG 9
Intelligent management system sizes and controls inventory in real time

Tool developed by startup with support from FAPESP works like a supermarket in the metaverse.


Book presents the benefits of cover crops for agricultural systems
SDG 2
Book presents the benefits of cover crops for agricultural systems

Practical guide prepared by researchers from the University of São Paulo gets extended version, accessible for free on the Internet.


More acidic soil reduces invasive grass and helps restore native vegetation to Brazilian savannah, study finds
SDG 15
More acidic soil reduces invasive grass and helps restore native vegetation to Brazilian savannah, study finds

Application of iron sulfate in a degraded area of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park, in central Brazil, reduced nutrient availability and contained exotic species, allowing grasses typical of the Cerrado biome, adapted to poor soils, to regrow.


Nanotechnology-based dressing fights infection and improves wound healing
SDG 3
Nanotechnology-based dressing fights infection and improves wound healing

In rodent experiments, a cellulose product with silver nanoparticles was able to reduce microbial colonies in skin lesions, speeding up healing; treatment could benefit people with diabetic foot, burns, and bedridden patients with pressure ulcers.


Study identifies key protein in progression of glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor
SDG 3
Study identifies key protein in progression of glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor

In experiments conducted at the University of São Paulo, tumor stem cells became less able to proliferate and invade tissues when the production of the prion protein was blocked by gene editing; the results suggest that the molecule could be a therapeutic target.


Leafcutter ants recognize and fight pathogen even 30 days after initial contamination, study shows
SDG 15
Leafcutter ants recognize and fight pathogen even 30 days after initial contamination, study shows

Characteristics of social immune memory were observed in colonies of Atta sexdens exposed to four different pathogenic fungi. The insects increased their cleaning behavior one week and one month after initial contact, but not after 60 days.


Study shows that cannabidiol may be a promising agent for promoting dental biomineralization
SDG 3
Study shows that cannabidiol may be a promising agent for promoting dental biomineralization

Researchers tested different concentrations of the substance on dental pulp cells. Results show promise for dental tissue repair.


Study evaluates the use of magnetic carbon nanotubes in biomedical applications
SDG 3
Study evaluates the use of magnetic carbon nanotubes in biomedical applications

Material shows potential for use in drug delivery and tissue support systems in the human body.


News about research projects funded by FAPESP and articulated with the SDGs: