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

Study confirms that inactive parents contribute to sedentary behavior in their children
SDG 3
Study confirms that inactive parents contribute to sedentary behavior in their children

On the other hand, when parents maintain an active routine, their children are more likely to follow suit. According to research by São Paulo State University involving 182 children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, mothers’ influence in encouraging physical activity was more than twice that of fathers.


Variations in glucose levels may indicate severity of heart attack damage
SDG 3
Variations in glucose levels may indicate severity of heart attack damage

Results from research conducted in Brazil show that glycemic delta is associated with the size of the heart attack and the strength of heart contractions. Acute myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in Brazil.


Protein deficiency during pregnancy and lactation may compromise sperm viability in offspring
SDG 3
Protein deficiency during pregnancy and lactation may compromise sperm viability in offspring

Research with rats has shown that a maternal diet lacking protein during these stages leads to changes in the structure and function of the epididymis, which would explain impairments in motility, viability, and sperm concentration in male offspring.


Ancestry and genetic variants influence the risk of colorectal cancer
SDG 3
Ancestry and genetic variants influence the risk of colorectal cancer

The disease is the third most common type of cancer in Brazil, excluding non-melanoma skin tumors. Between 5% and 10% of cases are hereditary.


Nanotechnology improves treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs
SDG 9
Nanotechnology improves treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs

An unprecedented project in Brazil uses nanocrystals to advance veterinary medicine.


Book brings together decades of research on the role of fire in South American ecosystems
SDG 13, SDG 15
Book brings together decades of research on the role of fire in South American ecosystems

Unpublished work organized by researchers from São Paulo State University and the University of São Paulo discusses the influence of fires on the ecological dynamics of nine large South American biomes.


Researchers use seaweed to manufacture raw materials for civil construction
SDG 12
Researchers use seaweed to manufacture raw materials for civil construction

The accumulation of these algae on beaches can harm health, tourism, fishing, and biodiversity. They are usually collected and disposed of in landfills, but a study by Brazilian researchers has found a use for the biomass: to produce lightweight ceramic clay aggregates.


For students with severe attention difficulties, changing school shifts is not the solution
SDG 4
For students with severe attention difficulties, changing school shifts is not the solution

Research involving more than 2,000 Brazilians reveals that while everyone’s performance is consistently lower in the morning, the afternoon shift only improves the performance of students with few or no symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.


New bacterium discovered in the Amazon is closely related to Andean species that causes human bartonellosis
SDG 3
New bacterium discovered in the Amazon is closely related to Andean species that causes human bartonellosis

This neglected disease, also known as Peruvian wart and Oroya fever, is caused by bacteria of the genus Bartonella and is transmitted by sand flies. DNA found in insects from a protected area in Brazil is similar to that of pathogenic species found in Peru. While there is still no evidence that the new bacterium causes disease, scientists warn that monitoring should continue.


Study points out that a synthetic molecule helps reduce visceral fat and improve sleep
SDG 3
Study points out that a synthetic molecule helps reduce visceral fat and improve sleep

Early-stage clinical trial reveals that peptide has potential to become a new tool for improving metabolic health and sleep quality in overweight adults; study involved scientists from Brazil, Israel and the United States.


Study reveals possible strategy for fighting aggressive brain cancer
SDG 3
Study reveals possible strategy for fighting aggressive brain cancer

International team of researchers discovered that high levels of an enzyme called PRDX6 are associated with a subtype of neuroblastoma; animal studies showed that inhibiting the molecule caused a reduction in tumors.


Global study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature
SDG 15
Global study reveals hidden impact of human activities on nature

A survey of 119 regions around the world investigated “missing diversity,” or native species that could be present in a given area but were absent. The results were published in the journal Nature.


SARS-CoV-2 infects testicular cells and uses cellular machinery to replicate and form
SDG 3
SARS-CoV-2 infects testicular cells and uses cellular machinery to replicate and form

Research conducted on mice revealed that the COVID-19 virus uses cells responsible for testosterone production to replicate, thereby interfering with lipid metabolism. This helps explain the drop in testosterone and possibly cholesterol in patients with severe cases of the disease.


Vaccine against Zika virus shows promising results in tests with mice
SDG 3
Vaccine against Zika virus shows promising results in tests with mice

The vaccine is being developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo and is based on technology known as “virus-like particles” (VLPs), which does not use genetic material from the pathogen.


α-Copaene is a powerful repellent against the insect that transmits citrus greening
SDG 2
α-Copaene is a powerful repellent against the insect that transmits citrus greening

The compound is 100 times more effective than β-caryophyllene against the disease impacting orange groves in Florida and threatening citrus growers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, the world’s largest orange producer.


From the laboratory to the veterinary clinic: nanotechnology can help treat chronic diseases in animals
SDG 9
From the laboratory to the veterinary clinic: nanotechnology can help treat chronic diseases in animals

Solution created by Brazilian startup can treat pain and inflammation in pets.


Article presents the first soil health map of Latin America and the Caribbean
SDG 13, SDG 15
Article presents the first soil health map of Latin America and the Caribbean

Countries such as Colombia and Venezuela lead the way in terms of the extent of healthy soils, while regions such as the Brazilian Northeast, northern Mexico and parts of Chile and Argentina face the greatest challenges. The data can guide public policies for conservation.


Sarcopenia is better for assessing the risk of death in older adults than frailty syndrome
SDG 3
Sarcopenia is better for assessing the risk of death in older adults than frailty syndrome

This is the conclusion of a study that evaluated data from 4,500 people who were followed for 14 years. The results are helpful in clinical practice and for screening patients at risk, eliminating the need for complicated tests.


Giant turtle fossil found in the state of Acre, Brazil
SDG 14, SDG 17
Giant turtle fossil found in the state of Acre, Brazil

On its first expedition, a project funded by the Amazon+10 Initiative reveals clues about the Amazon millions of years ago.


Fermentation method transforms unripe fruits into specialty coffees
SDG 9
Fermentation method transforms unripe fruits into specialty coffees

Normally discarded due to their astringent taste, green beans from the Arara cultivar were subjected to airless fermentation and produced high-quality beverages in blind tests. Brazilian researchers see potential for the product to be valued in domestic and foreign markets.


Indigenous researcher revives traditional medical practices of his people
SDG 10
Indigenous researcher revives traditional medical practices of his people

The study accessed ancestral knowledge and cataloged 175 medicinal plants used to treat diseases such as parasitic worms, diabetes, and hypertension. Community participation was central to all stages of the study.


Brazilian company develops sustainable alternative to antibiotics for livestock
SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 12
Brazilian company develops sustainable alternative to antibiotics for livestock

The startup uses bacteriophages to prevent mastitis in dairy cows and reduce the use of conventional drugs.


Laser therapy enhances treatment of fungus resistant to conventional medication
SDG 3
Laser therapy enhances treatment of fungus resistant to conventional medication

Researchers at a FAPESP-supported research center have managed to reduce Candida albicans’ resistance to fungicides by incorporating photodynamic inactivation techniques into the treatment. The results of the study indicate that the technology can be used in both human healthcare and the prevention of food contamination.


AI tool detects invisible brain abnormalities in people with severe epilepsy
SDG 3
AI tool detects invisible brain abnormalities in people with severe epilepsy

Publicly available algorithm facilitates lesion identification and surgical planning for patients with focal cortical dysplasia, a malformation associated with a drug-refractory form of the disease.


Clinical and genetic data may help predict responses to psychosis treatments
SDG 3
Clinical and genetic data may help predict responses to psychosis treatments

In a study of 141 patients, researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo and collaborators evaluated different models to predict which patients would benefit from risperidone treatment.


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