Fapesp

FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

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Research funded by FAPESP aligned with the SDGs

News

Research funded by FAPESP aligned with the SDGs

Identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutations that could help diagnose the disease
SDG 3
Identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutations that could help diagnose the disease

The mutations were mapped by a group at the Federal University of São Paulo and collaborators in an analysis of mitochondrial genomes. Thirteen increase the risk of ALS and 38 are protective.


British delegation visits FAPESP to intensify research collaboration
SDG 17
British delegation visits FAPESP to intensify research collaboration

Representatives of the UK Government’s Department for Education and FAPESP discussed strategies to promote more collaboration between researchers based in São Paulo state and at the best British universities.


App uses artificial intelligence to monitor sleep and treat insomnia and apnea
SDG 3, SDG 9
App uses artificial intelligence to monitor sleep and treat insomnia and apnea

The platform, which was developed with FAPESP’s support, uses a clinical protocol based on cognitive behavioral therapy. The startup responsible participated in a business delegation to FAPESP Week Italy.


Rapid horizontal eye movement can improve stability in people with Parkinson’s
SDG 3
Rapid horizontal eye movement can improve stability in people with Parkinson’s

Vertical eye movements increased body sway in an experiment involving volunteers with the disease conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University (Brazil) and the University of Lille (France).


Toothpaste with calcium and fluoride nanoparticles proves effective against enamel demineralization
SDG 3, SDG 9
Toothpaste with calcium and fluoride nanoparticles proves effective against enamel demineralization

Material was compared with conventional dentifrice through in vitro tests on bovine teeth.


Representatives of FAPESP visit U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
SDG 17
Representatives of FAPESP visit U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

The purpose of the meeting was to align strategies and discuss ways of increasing scientific collaboration among researchers supported by the two institutions.


Performance in physical tests can help manage treatment for metastatic lung cancer
SDG 3
Performance in physical tests can help manage treatment for metastatic lung cancer

In a study of patients with metastatic lung cancer and cachexia, researchers at the University of São Paulo and Harvard Medical School found that treatment was more likely to succeed in physically fitter patients.


Center for Studies of Favelas aims at academia-community collaboration to produce knowledge and solutions
SDG 10
Center for Studies of Favelas aims at academia-community collaboration to produce knowledge and solutions

CEFAVELA, the latest of FAPESP’s Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers, was officially launched on October 7 at the Federal University of the ABC.


Tardigrades, microscopic animals, are less cosmopolitan and more diverse than has been thought
SDG 14
Tardigrades, microscopic animals, are less cosmopolitan and more diverse than has been thought

A study conducted by researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) suggests that species thought to be distributed worldwide probably do not exist in Central and South America. At the same time, a wide array of environments and few specimens from the region point to the likelihood of vast species richness.


FAPESP helps set up ten research centers that will focus on applications of artificial intelligence in Brazil
SDG 9
FAPESP helps set up ten research centers that will focus on applications of artificial intelligence in Brazil

Located in different parts of the country, the centers will conduct research in science, technology and innovation addressing problems that can be solved by AI in such areas as health, agriculture, manufacturing, and smart cities.


FAPESP and CNR plan to launch joint call for proposals in April 2025
SDG 17
FAPESP and CNR plan to launch joint call for proposals in April 2025

The work plan for the next five years was signed by representatives of the two agencies on October 16th in Bologna.


UFSCar professor is one of the winners of the Brazilian Women in Chemistry Award
SDG 5
UFSCar professor is one of the winners of the Brazilian Women in Chemistry Award

Nominated in the “Academic Leadership” category, Lucia Helena Mascaro, from the Federal University of São Carlos, is the director of the Center for the Development of Functional Materials, funded by FAPESP.


Center for Metropolitan Studies maps informal green spaces in São Paulo
SDG 11
Center for Metropolitan Studies maps informal green spaces in São Paulo

Designed for use by the academic and school community, the cartographic database totals 572 polygons, of which 48% are clubs and cemeteries.


Researchers from Brazil and Italy search industrial waste for new Alzheimer’s drugs
SDG 3
Researchers from Brazil and Italy search industrial waste for new Alzheimer’s drugs

One of the raw materials studied by the group is cashew nut shell liquid, a by-product of oilseed processing; work was presented during FAPESP Week Italy.


Artificial intelligence tools bring efficiency to the architectural process
SDG 9
Artificial intelligence tools bring efficiency to the architectural process

Solutions developed by a startup supported by FAPESP through its innovation in small businesses program were presented during FAPESP Week Italy.


Brazilian researchers work to transform agave into the ‘sugarcane of the <i>sertão</i>’
SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 17
Brazilian researchers work to transform agave into the ‘sugarcane of the <i>sertão</i>’

The goal is to develop an alternative for bioenergy production that can be grown in semi-arid regions, which are advancing in Brazil and worldwide; results were presented during FAPESP Week Italy.


FAPESP Week Italy participants discuss actions to promote innovation and collaboration with industry
SDG 9, SDG 17
FAPESP Week Italy participants discuss actions to promote innovation and collaboration with industry

The panel included Carlos Américo Pacheco from FAPESP, Marina Silverii from Attractiveness Research Territory Emilia-Romagna, and Claudio Melchiorri from the Università di Bologna.


FAPESP and Università di Bologna leaders launch FAPESP Week Italy
SDG 17
FAPESP and Università di Bologna leaders launch FAPESP Week Italy

Event aims to foster partnerships between São Paulo researchers and entrepreneurs and their Italian counterparts.


Researcher offers reflection on trauma and historical suffering of Jewish communities
SDG 16
Researcher offers reflection on trauma and historical suffering of Jewish communities

Professor Marianne Hirsch, daughter of Holocaust survivors, delivered the 8th FAPESP Lecture 2024 on “Rethinking Holocaust Postmemory After October 7”.


High blood pressure reduces respiratory capacity owing to hardening of bronchi, study shows
SDG 3
High blood pressure reduces respiratory capacity owing to hardening of bronchi, study shows

The study was conducted at the Federal University of São Paulo and involved 731 over-sixties. It is the first to demonstrate the effects of high blood pressure on lung mechanics. The findings highlight the benefits of regular physical exercise for partial protection of the lungs.


Study helps understand pain associated with viral infection
SDG 3
Study helps understand pain associated with viral infection

Through experiments in mice infected with a herpes virus, scientists identified an immune system sensor that recognizes viral fragments and activates neurons responsible for pain, independently of inflammation. The discovery paves the way for novel analgesic treatments.


Startup monitors proliferation of microorganisms that turn water bodies green
SDG 9, SDG 12
Startup monitors proliferation of microorganisms that turn water bodies green

With FAPESP’s support, the startup plans to collect biomass from the cyanobacterial blooms that have turned the Pinheiros River green in São Paulo city and convert it to bioproducts.


Brazilian study identifies potential targets for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis
SDG 3
Brazilian study identifies potential targets for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis

Discovery of a novel class of proteins that help regulate the parasite’s essential cellular functions could lead to the development of more effective drugs against the disease. More than 3,500 new cases are notified each year in Brazil.


Research supported by FAPESP underpins financing mechanism for climate action in São Paulo
SDG 13
Research supported by FAPESP underpins financing mechanism for climate action in São Paulo

Scientists from the BIOTA Synthesis project helped develop the strategy that uses blended finance to promote the restoration and conservation of ecosystems in the state.


Desertification in Brazilian semi-arid biome reduces soil functionality by more than 50%
SDG 13, SDG 15
Desertification in Brazilian semi-arid biome reduces soil functionality by more than 50%

Research focusing on the Caatinga shows that by restoring the soil, it is possible to achieve quality levels close to those that existed before human interference.


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