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

In 20 years, natural regeneration of tropical forests recoups 80% of old-growth carbon and soil fertility
SDG 13
In 20 years, natural regeneration of tropical forests recoups 80% of old-growth carbon and soil fertility

A study published in Science shows that secondary forests are more resilient than previously thought and can recover quickly, helping to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change and conserve biodiversity.


Study points to ways of involving visually impaired people in environmental disaster prevention
SDG 10
Study points to ways of involving visually impaired people in environmental disaster prevention

Brazilian researchers show that inclusion is necessary if disaster prevention policy is to avoid the “invisibility” of these people and reduce the barriers that intensify vulnerability.


Revealed mechanism underlying progression to severe COVID-19 in lungs; possible novel therapeutic targets
SDG 3
Revealed mechanism underlying progression to severe COVID-19 in lungs; possible novel therapeutic targets

Scientists at a consortium of Brazilian universities show how the enzyme storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2 damages the lungs and may cause lasting complications.


Flame-retardant coating stops even wood from catching fire
SDG 9
Flame-retardant coating stops even wood from catching fire

Startup supported by FAPESP has developed a novel material based on an innovative strategy that uses cellulose fibers to reassemble graphite crystals.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes premature aging of the immune system, study suggests
SDG 3
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes premature aging of the immune system, study suggests

Researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo’s Medical School compared immune cells from COPD patients, healthy young and old adults, and smokers. The finding helps explain why these patients respond poorly to vaccines and are more susceptible to infections.


UN expert advocates innovation to promote efficient land use and combat hunger
SDG 2
UN expert advocates innovation to promote efficient land use and combat hunger

The tenth in the series of events to mark FAPESP’s 60th anniversary featured a keynote presentation by Joachim von Braun, who chaired the Scientific Group for the UN Food systems Summit 2021.


Brazil’s Northeast region probably dried up during Earth’s last minimum axial tilt thousands of years ago
SDG 13
Brazil’s Northeast region probably dried up during Earth’s last minimum axial tilt thousands of years ago

An increase in the length of the dry season led to a reduction in tree cover and expansion of savanna and grassland in the Cerrado. The ongoing climate changes may produce a similar trend in the last part of the twenty-first century.


Startup designs molecules for treatment of mental disorders, cancer and other diseases
SDG 3, SDG 9
Startup designs molecules for treatment of mental disorders, cancer and other diseases

The computational platform developed by the firm, with FAPESP’s support, is capable of screening billions of molecules.


Enzymes discovered in capybara gut can accelerate utilization of agroindustrial waste
SDG 7, SDG 9
Enzymes discovered in capybara gut can accelerate utilization of agroindustrial waste

Brazilian researchers discovered, characterized and validated the functions of two novel enzyme families with biotechnological potential.


Combination of weak muscles and abdominal obesity can be an early sign of functional decline in men
SDG 3
Combination of weak muscles and abdominal obesity can be an early sign of functional decline in men

This was the conclusion reached by a study conducted in Brazil that analyzed data for 3,875 elderly men and women collected over an eight-year period. An article on the study is published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.


Cutting greenhouse gas emissions via land-use change is essential to meet climate targets
SDG 13
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions via land-use change is essential to meet climate targets

Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems in Latin America and the Caribbean not only helps communities adapt to climate change but also benefits biodiversity and enhance food and water security, according to the participants in a webinar hosted by FAPESP.


An online tool for studying brain development created from the largest-ever patient MRI database
SDG 3
An online tool for studying brain development created from the largest-ever patient MRI database

Conducted by an international group that included Brazilian scientists, the project created charts that show how the brain grows rapidly in early life and shrinks as we age. The researchers hope the charts will one day be used in clinical practice.


Largest ever genomic study of schizophrenia identifies 120 genes associated with the disease
SDG 3
Largest ever genomic study of schizophrenia identifies 120 genes associated with the disease

An article published in Nature by a consortium of researchers from 45 countries, including Brazil, reports on a study that analyzed data for 300,000 people and could pave the way for the development of novel therapies.


Animals essential to seed dispersal are the first to disappear owing to deforestation
SDG 15
Animals essential to seed dispersal are the first to disappear owing to deforestation

Large mammals and birds that can swallow fruit of different sizes are crucial to assure rich animal-plant interactions, thanks to which forests thrive, according to a study conducted at São Paulo State University.


Study shows how mitochondria regulate lifespan by activating the immune system
SDG 3
Study shows how mitochondria regulate lifespan by activating the immune system

Findings published by researchers at the University of São Paulo may point to novel therapeutic targets for aging-related disorders such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.


Research reveals how gut microbiota imbalance can lead to Parkinson’s disease
SDG 3
Research reveals how gut microbiota imbalance can lead to Parkinson’s disease

Experiments conducted in Brazil suggest that molecules secreted by the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, more abundant in Parkinson’s, promote aggregation of the protein alpha-synuclein in intestinal cells. Clumps of the protein, which are known to be associated with development of the disease, may migrate from the gut to the brain.


Company based in São Paulo develops self-test that detects all variants of SARS-CoV-2
SDG 3, SDG 9
Company based in São Paulo develops self-test that detects all variants of SARS-CoV-2

The startup supported by FAPESP produces all of the inputs for the test and will supply them to partner companies that will assemble kits and distribute them to retailers.


Deforestation of Indigenous lands could prevent Brazil from achieving climate change mitigation targets
SDG 13
Deforestation of Indigenous lands could prevent Brazil from achieving climate change mitigation targets

The warning comes from a letter by Brazilian researchers published in the journal Science, highlighting the “dramatic increase” in deforestation in areas of the Amazon that should act as shields against such destruction.


Chiral gold nanoparticles increase vaccine efficacy by more than 25%, study suggests
SDG 3
Chiral gold nanoparticles increase vaccine efficacy by more than 25%, study suggests

The material is not an active ingredient but an adjuvant, and was successfully tested on an influenza virus in research conducted by an international team of scientists with Brazilian participation and reported in an article in Nature.


Study proves that domestic dogs play a key role in maintaining transmission of visceral leishmaniasis
SDG 3
Study proves that domestic dogs play a key role in maintaining transmission of visceral leishmaniasis

In an article published in the journal PLOS ONE, Brazilian scientists show that the number of domestic dogs in an area influences the risk of transmission of the disease and that areas in which cases occur remain high-risk areas.


Sustainable soil management and novel inputs help reduce use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture
SDG 2
Sustainable soil management and novel inputs help reduce use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture

Introducing more modern agricultural practices in Brazil could save farmers more than USD 20 billion in coming decades via a reduction in the use of phosphate fertilizer alone, a study by the University of São Paulo shows.


Researchers test novel strategy to accelerate drug development
SDG 3
Researchers test novel strategy to accelerate drug development

By combining acoustic levitation and X-ray diffraction with synchrotron light, the researchers were able to analyze the interactions of a drug’s atoms in real time and improve its formulation.


Risk of obesity is 45% higher among adolescents whose diet is based on ultra-processed food products
SDG 3
Risk of obesity is 45% higher among adolescents whose diet is based on ultra-processed food products

The finding by Brazilian researchers was based on data for 3,587 adolescents who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Another finding of concern is a 63% higher risk of visceral obesity, which correlates closely with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.


Metabolic syndrome impairs pulmonary function and immune response in over-sixties, study shows
SDG 3
Metabolic syndrome impairs pulmonary function and immune response in over-sixties, study shows

Results published in Scientific Reports by a research group at the Federal University of São Paulo help scientists understand why patients with metabolic syndrome are among those worst affected by COVID-19.


Extant species of <i>Atta</i> leaf-cutting ants may have benefited from expansion of the Cerrado
SDG 15
Extant species of <i>Atta</i> leaf-cutting ants may have benefited from expansion of the Cerrado

These ants emerged some 8.5 million years ago and underwent an intense speciation process between 1 million and 3 million years ago, when the Brazilian savanna was expanding. The recent advance of agriculture in the region, however, appears to be reducing this biodiversity and selecting species that damage crops.


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