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

Conversion of 5% of pastureland to cropland could double biofuel production, study shows
SDG 7, SDG 13
Conversion of 5% of pastureland to cropland could double biofuel production, study shows

The data, referring to Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Guatemala, was presented by the FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program (BIOEN) during a seminar hosted by the International Energy Agency.


Peptide from venomous fish toxin controls lung inflammation in mice
SDG 3
Peptide from venomous fish toxin controls lung inflammation in mice

A research group at Butantan Institute performed tests on animal models with asthma as a reference and demonstrated that the peptide from Thalassophryne nattereri, common in North and Northeast Brazil, is safe and efficacious.


Novel technology produces natural colorants with enhanced stability from grape residue
SDG 9, SDG 12
Novel technology produces natural colorants with enhanced stability from grape residue

Resin applied to purification of compound can be reused in eight different cycles without loss of effectiveness.


Experiment in Brazil identifies flood-prone areas of cities
SDG 11
Experiment in Brazil identifies flood-prone areas of cities

The study combined models that predict urban expansion and land-use changes with hydrodynamic models, and the results were validated using actual data for São Caetano do Sul, a city in metropolitan São Paulo.


Projects on adolescent obesity and drinking selected by international consortium
SDG 3, SDG 17
Projects on adolescent obesity and drinking selected by international consortium

The call was issued in 2022 by the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases, a transnational consortium of research funders set up to combat chronic non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries. Two proposals supported by FAPESP were among those approved.


Study identifies a protein that could be a target for a vaccine against spotted fever
SDG 3
Study identifies a protein that could be a target for a vaccine against spotted fever

The molecule was identified by researchers at the University of São Paulo in cells of the Amblyomma tick that transmits the disease.


‘New pandemics could emerge soon. We must be prepared,’ says head of Butantan Institute
SDG 3
‘New pandemics could emerge soon. We must be prepared,’ says head of Butantan Institute

Esper Kallás, who heads Latin America’s leading producer of vaccines, delivered the Second 2023 FAPESP Lecture on “Viruses, pandemics and vaccines”. He spoke about the “100 Day Mission” to produce novel vaccines in just over three months.


Brazilian algorithm aims to project future of Amazon Rainforest and predict changes in carbon capture
SDG 13
Brazilian algorithm aims to project future of Amazon Rainforest and predict changes in carbon capture

The computer program was developed at the State University of Campinas to include more vegetation diversity in the analysis of climate change impacts.


The choices we make in the near future will define the impact of climate change for generations to come
SDG 7, SDG 13
The choices we make in the near future will define the impact of climate change for generations to come

The alert came from scientists who participated in the 10th German-Brazilian Dialogue on Science, Research and Innovation, organized by the German Center for Science and Innovation in São Paulo in partnership with FAPESP.


An innovative crop sprayer drone with an automated refueling system
SDG 9, SDG 12
An innovative crop sprayer drone with an automated refueling system

Brazilian technology developed with FAPESP’s support can be used to spray large or small areas, economizing inputs, lowering costs and mitigating environmental impacts.


New working group of the GRC is tasked with facilitating multilateral cooperation in science
SDG 10, SDG 17
New working group of the GRC is tasked with facilitating multilateral cooperation in science

First meeting was held last week in The Hague, Netherlands, during the Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council.


Scientific publishers and funding agencies unite in favor of racial and ethnic diversity in research
SDG 5, SDG 10
Scientific publishers and funding agencies unite in favor of racial and ethnic diversity in research

Initiatives developed by Elsevier, Royal Society of Chemistry, South Africa’s National Research Foundation and German Research Foundation were presented at event held in The Hague, Netherlands.


Funders discuss how to foster scientific collaboration amid growing geopolitical tensions
SDG 17
Funders discuss how to foster scientific collaboration amid growing geopolitical tensions

Debate was hosted by Swedish, American and Japanese research funding agencies at the Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council.


The quest for equity and inclusion in the research ecosystem has moved beyond the gender issue
SDG 5, SDG 10
The quest for equity and inclusion in the research ecosystem has moved beyond the gender issue

This assessment was made by participants of an event promoted on Tuesday by the Gender Working Group of the Global Research Council. One of the panelists was Marco Antonio Zago, president of FAPESP.


Researchers develop a sweet potato with nearly twice as much beta-carotene as the main commercial variety
SDG 2
Researchers develop a sweet potato with nearly twice as much beta-carotene as the main commercial variety

Research groups in São Paulo state and Mozambique analyzed carotenoids in over 1,000 sweet potatoes and found some with 88% more beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A.


Research project analyzes medical, nutritional and environmental applications of new Antarctic bacteria
SDG 9
Research project analyzes medical, nutritional and environmental applications of new Antarctic bacteria

Discovered by Uruguayan scientists in 2013, two psychrophilic (cold-adapted) species have been experimented with since 2018 by a partnership between IIBCE in Montevideo and the University of São Paulo in Brazil.


Rather than being a risk factor, asthma could protect patients from progressing to severe COVID-19
SDG 3
Rather than being a risk factor, asthma could protect patients from progressing to severe COVID-19

Researchers in São Paulo state analyzed data for over 1 million patients hospitalized for treatment by the public health service after contracting COVID-19. Lower levels of inflammatory cytokines and fewer ACE2 receptors for the virus to bind to may be the explanation.


Study associates sleep apnea in babies with increased risk of hypertension in adulthood
SDG 3
Study associates sleep apnea in babies with increased risk of hypertension in adulthood

In experiments involving rats, researchers at São Paulo State University found that periods of low oxygen levels in the first months of life can lead to dysregulation of the sympathetic autonomic nervous system, which controls functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. The discovery points to possible routes to the development of novel therapies.


Biodressing accelerates skin wound healing in diabetic mice
SDG 3, SDG 9
Biodressing accelerates skin wound healing in diabetic mice

A biodressing containing human umbilical cord stem cells was produced in a 3D printer by the startup In Situ Cell Therapy. Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that when used on diabetic mice, the “smart” biodressing modulated the immune response, stimulated collagen synthesis and enhanced tissue repair.


At the United Nations, FAPESP takes part in a forum on the Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 17
At the United Nations, FAPESP takes part in a forum on the Sustainable Development Goals

FAPESP has funded more than 40,000 research projects linked to one or more SDGs, said Marco Antonio Zago.


<i>Leishmania</i> parasite manipulates organism’s defense system to continue replicating, study shows
SDG 3
<i>Leishmania</i> parasite manipulates organism’s defense system to continue replicating, study shows

Leishmania alters the structure of the human protein that would normally induce the death of infected cells and weakens the inflammatory response. Reported in Nature Communications, the discovery could serve as a basis for better treatment.


Toxins are detected in samples of curd cheese and artisan mozzarella in Brazil
SDG 3
Toxins are detected in samples of curd cheese and artisan mozzarella in Brazil

An analysis conducted at the University of São Paulo showed that no sample exceeded the recommended limit for aflatoxin M1, a contaminant of fungal origin considered carcinogenic. Nevertheless, the researchers warn of the need to demand best practices in dairy production.


Study proposes criteria to help delimit and conserve Cerrado wetlands
SDG 13
Study proposes criteria to help delimit and conserve Cerrado wetlands

No fewer than eight important hydrographic basins depend on the ecosystems that make up the Cerrado, Brazil’s savanna-like biome, but ambiguities in the legislation have permitted the advance of soybean plantations in the region. The warning is in an article by Brazilian researchers in the journal Perspectives in Ecology and Conservation.


In resistance training, focusing on load or number of repetitions leads to same muscle growth
SDG 3
In resistance training, focusing on load or number of repetitions leads to same muscle growth

A study by researchers at the State University of Campinas showed that although the two types of training produce similar metabolic stress, muscle activation is different.


Leader of federal agency lists suggestions for revitalization of Brazilian science
SDG 16
Leader of federal agency lists suggestions for revitalization of Brazilian science

Ricardo Galvão, President of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), discussed the status quo and outlook for Brazilian science in the first of the 2023 FAPESP Lectures.


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