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

Fungal infections increase mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients worldwide
SDG 3
Fungal infections increase mortality among hospitalized COVID-19 patients worldwide

An international group of scientists presents this conclusion in an article in Nature Microbiology, warning that novel antifungal medications are urgently.


The central role of the alphabetical writing system in the colonization of America
SDG 10, SDG 13
The central role of the alphabetical writing system in the colonization of America

The topic was discussed by French historian Serge Gruzinski in a lecture delivered at the FAPESP 60 Years School in Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts.


Poverty reduction does not always mean less inequality, experts argue
SDG 10
Poverty reduction does not always mean less inequality, experts argue

This and related issues were discussed by Martin Ravallion from Georgetown University and Marcelo Medeiros from Columbia University (USA) during the 13th FAPESP 60 Years Conference.


Toll tag technology is repurposed for use in wildlife monitoring
SDG 9, SDG 15
Toll tag technology is repurposed for use in wildlife monitoring

The system is being developed by a Brazilian startup supported by FAPESP and can be used by biologists in scientific research, by NGOs to track endangered species, and by environmental consultants.


Modern techniques optimize search for natural products and development of treatment for AIDS and COVID-19
SDG 3
Modern techniques optimize search for natural products and development of treatment for AIDS and COVID-19

The topic was discussed on August 9 by Barry O’Keefe of the US National Cancer Institute during the FAPESP 60 Years School on Exact, Natural and Life Sciences. The other speakers on the second day of the event were José Nelson Onuchic of Rice University and Virgilio Almeida of the Federal University of Minas Gerais.


Older people with anemia and weak muscles face higher risk of dying
SDG 3
Older people with anemia and weak muscles face higher risk of dying

The combination is particularly dangerous for women, according to a study by researchers in Brazil and the UK who analyzed data for 5,310 people aged 50+ followed in a ten-year health survey.


Study reveals mechanism involved in rare pediatric brain cancer and points to possible treatment
SDG 3
Study reveals mechanism involved in rare pediatric brain cancer and points to possible treatment

The type of ependymoma studied mainly affects children, has a low survival rate and has no specific chemotherapeutic treatment. A combination of two experimental drugs inhibited tumor growth in vitro.


‘In addition to emission cuts, we must adapt to a planet that’s 3 to 5 degrees warmer,’ scientist urges
SDG 13
‘In addition to emission cuts, we must adapt to a planet that’s 3 to 5 degrees warmer,’ scientist urges

The need to adapt was emphasized by Guy Brasseur, director of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Nobel Peace Laureate in 2007, and keynote speaker on the last day of the FAPESP 60 Years School.


New telescope will detect most energetic form of radiation in universe
SDG 9
New telescope will detect most energetic form of radiation in universe

Astronomers from Brazil, Italy and South Africa have begun installing the first of nine telescopes sensitive to gamma rays on Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands.


Mathematical model identifies bats as most probable hosts for SARS-CoV-2
SDG 3
Mathematical model identifies bats as most probable hosts for SARS-CoV-2

Researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil fed data for different coronaviruses into a machine learning model. The results reinforced the role of flying mammals as the first reservoirs of the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. The tool can be used in future emergencies.


Technique using light and artificial intelligence is effective in selecting immature soybean seeds
SDG 9
Technique using light and artificial intelligence is effective in selecting immature soybean seeds

Research conducted by Brazilian scientists has demonstrated that chlorophyll fluorescence is a reliable predictor of seed maturity. The greener the seed, the lower the quality. Manual separation is the rule in Brazil.


Study reveals immune mechanism responsible for some fatal COVID-19 cases
SDG 3
Study reveals immune mechanism responsible for some fatal COVID-19 cases

While some patients die with a high viral load and little inflammation, others succumb to inflammatory complications that arise after the virus is eliminated from the organism. According to scientists at the University of São Paulo, lasting inflammasome activation is key in such cases. The findings can be used to develop personalized therapeutic approaches.


Biodiversity conservation is linked to poverty reduction, scientists say
SDG 1, SDG 3, SDG 10, SDG 12, SDG 14, SDG 15
Biodiversity conservation is linked to poverty reduction, scientists say

In a webinar held to present the third chapter of the book published by the São Paulo State Academy of Sciences to commemorate FAPESP’s sixtieth anniversary, specialists showed that protection of terrestrial and marine environments contributes to food production and job creation, among other benefits.


Article details protocol for production of laboratory equipment by 3D printing
SDG 9
Article details protocol for production of laboratory equipment by 3D printing

Conducted by Brazilian researchers, the study focused on the fused deposition modeling technique and was featured on the cover of Analytical Chemistry, a journal of the American Chemical Society.


New findings confirm that impact of extraterrestrial object produced Colônia crater
SDG 15
New findings confirm that impact of extraterrestrial object produced Colônia crater

Spherules were discovered in the sediments present at depths of 180-224 m inside the crater located in São Paulo, Brazil. Their shape suggests local rock was pulverized, nebulized, and expelled upward by the collision.


Researchers map incidence of malaria in pregnancy in Brazil
SDG 3
Researchers map incidence of malaria in pregnancy in Brazil

A study published in Lancet Regional Health – Americas will help improve actions to combat this public health problem in the North of Brazil.


Study finds link between post-COVID loss of smell or taste and memory problems
SDG 3
Study finds link between post-COVID loss of smell or taste and memory problems

Researchers at the University of São Paulo in Brazil followed up hundreds of COVID patients after discharge from hospital in São Paulo City. Tests conducted six months later showed that those with the most severe sensory disorders also performed worse in tests of cognitive functions, especially memorization.


Study reveals mechanism that leads to malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome
SDG 3
Study reveals mechanism that leads to malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome

Researchers at the University of São Paulo tested a therapeutic intervention that proved capable of reducing the mortality rate from MA-ARDS in experiments on mice. The findings point to an avenue for the development of novel treatments for human patients.


Study obtains superconductivity at higher temperature than usual
SDG 9
Study obtains superconductivity at higher temperature than usual

Discovery by Brazilian researchers featured on cover of the journal Nanoscale is noteworthy because of possible applications in next-generation electronic devices.


Drone-borne radar detects underground ants’ nests that threaten eucalyptus plantations
SDG 2, SDG 9
Drone-borne radar detects underground ants’ nests that threaten eucalyptus plantations

A startup supported by FAPESP developed the technology, which is being tested by pulp and paper manufacturer Klabin.


Protein that detects light may play a role in the origin and progression of melanoma, study suggests
SDG 3
Protein that detects light may play a role in the origin and progression of melanoma, study suggests

Researchers at the University of São Paulo showed, through experiments on animals and genetically modified cells, that this type of cancer advances more slowly when the light-sensitive molecule known as melanopsin is deactivated. The discovery could point to novel therapeutic strategies.


Amazon Rainforest’s resilience creates windows of opportunity for passive regeneration
SDG 13
Amazon Rainforest’s resilience creates windows of opportunity for passive regeneration

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo highlights the importance of riparian forests in the process.


Phenomenon that normally leads to human cell death appears vital for parasites, study shows
SDG 3
Phenomenon that normally leads to human cell death appears vital for parasites, study shows

Double-strand DNA breaks cause cell damage in several organisms, but apparently play a key role in the lifecycles of species that cause Chagas disease, sleeping sickness and leishmaniasis. The results of the study pave the way to the development of more effective treatment.


Brazilian scientists reveal method of converting methane gas into liquid methanol
SDG 7
Brazilian scientists reveal method of converting methane gas into liquid methanol

The strategy was tested at the Federal University of São Carlos. The conversion took place under ambient temperature and pressure conditions, which could enable methane, a potent greenhouse gas, to be used to produce fuel. The process currently used by the chemical industry consumes large amounts of energy.


Born in a physics revolution, quantum materials are also revolutionizing everyday life
SDG 4, SDG 9
Born in a physics revolution, quantum materials are also revolutionizing everyday life

Quantum materials were the focus for the 12th FAPESP 60 Years Conference, which featured leading experts in the field.


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