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

Scientists partner with forest peoples in the Amazon to protect endangered archeological sites
SDG 16
Scientists partner with forest peoples in the Amazon to protect endangered archeological sites

The group uses advanced technology to map sites where vestiges of the activities of ancient populations have been preserved but risk being destroyed by the advance of deforestation, wildcat mining and climate change.


Study proposes changes to simplify legislation on Atlantic Rainforest biome and enhance conservation
SDG 13
Study proposes changes to simplify legislation on Atlantic Rainforest biome and enhance conservation

Lack of a method to classify forest succession stages in the applicable legislation allows for destruction of forest areas that provide important ecosystem services. The authors propose changes to make measurements more accurate and eliminate a step in permit applications that is ineffective and costly for landowners.


Mild COVID-19 can cause long-term cognitive losses
SDG 3
Mild COVID-19 can cause long-term cognitive losses

A study involving 302 volunteers showed that although the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 was most intense among those who had severe COVID-19, some exhibited memory loss and attention deficit more than 18 months after being infected, even though they had not needed to be hospitalized.


Combination of drugs produces promising results in combating cancer and will be clinically trialed in Europe
SDG 3
Combination of drugs produces promising results in combating cancer and will be clinically trialed in Europe

Brazilian researchers innovated by stimulating tumor cells so much that they became stressed and could survive only by behaving like healthy cells. The results of the study were so promising that the researchers plan to hold clinical trials with patients, to be conducted in the Netherlands before the end of 2024.


Important region of marine ecosystem in Southwest Atlantic is shallower than expected, study finds
SDG 14
Important region of marine ecosystem in Southwest Atlantic is shallower than expected, study finds

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo determined for the first time the vertical limits of the subtropical ocean region off the South American coast. They found that the upper limit of the mesotrophic zone, previously assumed to be 30 meters below the surface, was in fact in much shallower waters.


Novel nanomaterial keeps more phosphorus available in soil than commercial fertilizer
SDG 2
Novel nanomaterial keeps more phosphorus available in soil than commercial fertilizer

The novel compound was developed in the lab but can be produced with technology already used by the industry, facilitating scale-up. It fixes phosphorus in the soil for future crop cycles and requires fewer applications. The researchers are seeking partners to mass-produce it for use in large-scale experiments.


Floods in Rio Grande do Sul reveal flaws in Brazil’s disaster risk management policy
SDG 13, SDG 16
Floods in Rio Grande do Sul reveal flaws in Brazil’s disaster risk management policy

State coordination will be essential to overcome the problems in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, as Acre’s experience with floods shows.


Urban agriculture as a creative response to the climate crisis
SDG 11, SDG 13
Urban agriculture as a creative response to the climate crisis

A study comparing solutions developed in São Paulo and Melbourne, Australia, highlights the huge potential for expansion in the Brazilian megacity.


Biomaterial made of collagen and polysaccharide from red seaweed proves capable of stimulating bone regeneration
SDG 3
Biomaterial made of collagen and polysaccharide from red seaweed proves capable of stimulating bone regeneration

Researchers at the University of São Paulo conducted in vitro experiments with bone cells to confirm the properties of the novel biomaterial. Their findings suggest it can replace natural bone in grafting procedures to remedy defects or injuries.


A portable sensor that can monitor the quality of drinking water in the home
SDG 6
A portable sensor that can monitor the quality of drinking water in the home

The device developed at the University of São Paulo is inexpensive, environmentally friendly and easy to use. A patent application has been filed.


Orion will be the world’s first maximum biosafety lab linked to a synchrotron light source
SDG 3, SDG 9
Orion will be the world’s first maximum biosafety lab linked to a synchrotron light source

Scheduled to start operating in 2028 at the Brazilian Center for Research on Energy and Materials (CNPEM) in Campinas (São Paulo state), the lab will enable researchers for the first time in Latin America to study viruses classified as class 4, the highest category of biological risk.


Mathematics-intensive professions are expanding worldwide, but Brazil still lags behind
SDG 4
Mathematics-intensive professions are expanding worldwide, but Brazil still lags behind

The fifth 2024 FAPESP Lecture asking “How much is mathematics worth to Brazil?” was delivered by Marcelo Viana, Director General of Brazil’s National Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA).


<i>The ISME Journal</i> lists State University of Campinas study among the top three of 2023
SDG 2
<i>The ISME Journal</i> lists State University of Campinas study among the top three of 2023

Work carried out at the Genomics for Climate Change Research Center, with the support of FAPESP, revealed soil bacteria that act as natural fertilizers and have applications in agriculture.


Study identifies protein that helps COVID-19 virus evade immune system
SDG 3
Study identifies protein that helps COVID-19 virus evade immune system

Discovery of a new viral evasion mechanism, and of a monoclonal antibody that subverts it, is an advance in immunotherapy offering the prospect of effective host-directed treatment to combat infections.


FAPESP announces the establishment of 21 new Science for Development Centers
SDG 17
FAPESP announces the establishment of 21 new Science for Development Centers

About BRL 130 million will be invested in the new centers, which will develop solutions to challenges posed by the São Paulo State Government.


Among paper wasps, evolution has replaced physical aggression with stereotyped shows of strength
SDG 15
Among paper wasps, evolution has replaced physical aggression with stereotyped shows of strength

A study shows that ritual dances and other displays in which workers select future queens with optimal reproductive capacity are found among all representatives of this group of wasps.


Scientists call for urgent action to tackle nutritional crisis devastating the Yanomami
SDG 2, SDG 3
Scientists call for urgent action to tackle nutritional crisis devastating the Yanomami

In an article published in Nature Medicine, a group at the State University of Campinas stresses that Yanomami children are suffering the most severe nutritional deficit of any Indigenous community in the Americas and warns of long-term consequences for health.


Workshop connects Brazilian and French researchers on health
SDG 17
Workshop connects Brazilian and French researchers on health

Brazil is considered “one of 12 countries that produce the most science” by the French government. The purpose of the event was to explore opportunities for funding joint research projects.


Researchers observe Mayaro and chikungunya viruses circulating at the same time in the Brazilian Amazon
SDG 3
Researchers observe Mayaro and chikungunya viruses circulating at the same time in the Brazilian Amazon

According to the authors of the study, infection by one virus was expected to afford protection against the other, preventing co-circulation. They warn of the risk of transmission of Mayaro in urban areas owing to deforestation and advocate more effective epidemiological surveillance.


Lung complications can worsen two years after hospitalization for severe COVID-19
SDG 3
Lung complications can worsen two years after hospitalization for severe COVID-19

A Brazilian study assessed 237 patients treated at the University of São Paulo’s general and teaching hospital. The researchers found that 92% still had lung damage two years after discharge, with fibrosis (33% of cases) arousing most concern.


New tuberculosis vaccine results presented at FAPESP Week China
SDG 3
New tuberculosis vaccine results presented at FAPESP Week China

Researchers from the Butantan Institute and collaborators reveal why recombinant BCG induces a stronger and longer-lasting response than the conventional vaccine.


Study reveals new factor associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 in people with obesity
SDG 3
Study reveals new factor associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 in people with obesity

By analyzing samples from obese non-diabetics, researchers from the State University of Campinas found that high blood levels of saturated fatty acids cause pre-activation of innate immune cells that, when infected with SARS-CoV-2, produce elevated levels of inflammatory molecules. Results were presented during FAPESP Week China.


Representatives of German Research Foundation visit FAPESP to discuss research collaboration
SDG 17
Representatives of German Research Foundation visit FAPESP to discuss research collaboration

At the meeting, leaders of the two institutions shared experiences on removing red tape and discussed the use of AI to assess project proposals, as well as preparations for FAPESP Week Berlin in 2025.


São Paulo State University unveils factory dedicated to producing pilot batches of biopharmaceuticals for clinical research
SDG 3, SDG 9
São Paulo State University unveils factory dedicated to producing pilot batches of biopharmaceuticals for clinical research

Located in Botucatu, the plant will perform outsourced medical drug development and production services for pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and other research institutions, complying with best manufacturing practices.


São Paulo and Italy plan to increase bilateral interaction between universities and companies
SDG 9, SDG 17
São Paulo and Italy plan to increase bilateral interaction between universities and companies

Companies are currently involved in 15% of the collaborative research projects conducted by scientists in São Paulo state and Italy, according to data presented at an event hosted by FAPESP.


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