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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

Brazilian study estimates thresholds for protecting riparian zones to avoid aquatic biodiversity collapse
SDG 14
Brazilian study estimates thresholds for protecting riparian zones to avoid aquatic biodiversity collapse

Fifty researchers at 26 institutions analyzed a huge mass of data, finding that no single size of conservation area is valid for the entire country.


Exercising regularly does not affect severe COVID-19 prognosis or outcomes
SDG 3
Exercising regularly does not affect severe COVID-19 prognosis or outcomes

Study involving more than 200 hospitalized patients in São Paulo shows physically active individuals are not fully protected against the disease.


Study confirms safety of COVID-19 convalescent plasma therapy
SDG 3
Study confirms safety of COVID-19 convalescent plasma therapy

Clinical trial conducted in Brazil suggests the treatment can be beneficial if administered within ten days of symptom onset.


COVID-19 can alter the brain’s functional connectivity pattern, study shows
SDG 3
COVID-19 can alter the brain’s functional connectivity pattern, study shows

Brazilian researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess 86 volunteers who had moderate COVID-19 and compared the results with those of uninfected volunteers. Preliminary findings have not yet been published but were presented during a conference held at the University of Campinas.


Scientists create flexible biocompatible cilia that can be controlled by a magnet
SDG 9
Scientists create flexible biocompatible cilia that can be controlled by a magnet

Filaments made of polymer-coated iron oxide nanoparticles are obtained by exposing the material to a magnetic field under controlled temperature. The applications are myriad and include transporting substances into cells or directing fluids.


Brazilian startup exports solutions for hydrogen production
SDG 7, SDG 9
Brazilian startup exports solutions for hydrogen production

With FAPESP’s support, Hytron has developed a containerized solution for hydrogen production via ethanol reforming that eliminates the need for shipping by tanker trucks. The equipment can supply the gas to factories and vehicle service stations.


Social distancing has changed Brazilian women’s eating habits, study shows
SDG 3, SDG 5
Social distancing has changed Brazilian women’s eating habits, study shows

More than 1,000 volunteers completed an online questionnaire designed by Brazilian researchers. The results show that more women are cooking, sitting down to eat, snacking between meals, and ordering takeaway meals, while dieting and supermarket shopping have declined.


Studies use mathematics to analyze the semantics of dream reports during the pandemic
SDG 3
Studies use mathematics to analyze the semantics of dream reports during the pandemic

Researchers at a center for neuromathematics say dreams reflect the fear and anxiety fueled by the disease.


Researchers develop 10-minute COVID-19 diagnostic test that wage workers can afford
SDG 3
Researchers develop 10-minute COVID-19 diagnostic test that wage workers can afford

Technology based on nanoparticles identifies IgG antibodies and costs only about a fifth of similar devices now on the market. It was developed by scientists at the University of São Paulo and Brazilian startup Biolinker.


Lung ultrasound helps predict COVID-19 patient outcomes
SDG 3
Lung ultrasound helps predict COVID-19 patient outcomes

Brazilian researchers applied an examination protocol based on an analysis of 12 lung regions to 180 severe patients and found that the higher the lung ultrasound score the greater the risk of ICU admission, intubation and death.


New molecules associated with hyperinflammation in COVID-19 are identified
SDG 3
New molecules associated with hyperinflammation in COVID-19 are identified

A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo showed that the blood serum of severe patients contained high levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and lipid mediators derived from arachidonic acid. The discovery may help improve the prognosis of such patients and the treatment available to them.


Small insect communities respond less predictably to environmental change
SDG 13
Small insect communities respond less predictably to environmental change

Researchers who studied riverine insect communities in the Atlantic Rainforest and Finland’s boreal forests discovered that random events are more frequent in Brazil.


Why it is harder for Brazilians of African descent to find bone marrow donors
SDG 3, SDG 10
Why it is harder for Brazilians of African descent to find bone marrow donors

According to a study published in Frontiers in Immunology, the reason is their genetic heterogeneity and lack of proportional representation in the Brazilian bone marrow bank.


Startup develops yeast-based COVID-19 diagnostic test
SDG 3
Startup develops yeast-based COVID-19 diagnostic test

Based on a reaction between yeast and the novel coronavirus, the test will rapidly detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva and will be available by mid-2021.


US will take at least 300 days to beat COVID-19 even with vaccination, scientists estimate
SDG 3
US will take at least 300 days to beat COVID-19 even with vaccination, scientists estimate

Researchers at York University in Canada and the University of Campinas in Brazil used mathematical modeling to estimate the short-term impact of vaccination. Abandoning non-pharmaceutical interventions too soon could cancel out the benefit, they warn.


Melatonin produced in the lungs prevents infection by novel coronavirus
SDG 3
Melatonin produced in the lungs prevents infection by novel coronavirus

The hormone acts as a barrier against SARS-CoV-2, blocking the expression of genes that encode proteins in cells serving as viral entry points, according to a study by researchers at the University of São Paulo.


Study helps understand why obese mothers tend to have children with susceptibility for metabolic diseases
SDG 3
Study helps understand why obese mothers tend to have children with susceptibility for metabolic diseases

The phenomenon may be associated with a deficiency of the protein mitofusin-2 in the mother’s eggs, which affects the shape and functioning of mitochondria. The finding was based on experiments with mice conducted at the Federal University of São Carlos and reported in the journal Molecular Human Reproduction.


Inflammation caused by scorpion venom should be blocked immediately, study shows
SDG 3
Inflammation caused by scorpion venom should be blocked immediately, study shows

In an article published in Nature Communications, Brazilian researchers show for the first time that in severe cases of scorpion envenomation it is the neuroimmune reaction triggered by the venom that leads to death.


Researchers analyze the growth of anti-vaccine movements during the pandemic
SDG 16
Researchers analyze the growth of anti-vaccine movements during the pandemic

Pro-Vaccine Union, an initiative of the University of São Paulo in partnership with other organizations including Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers funded by FAPESP, is monitoring anti-vaccine groups on Facebook in an effort to understand the workings of the social media ecosystem that spreads disinformation.


Study identifies a factor that makes the novel coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 more contagious
SDG 3
Study identifies a factor that makes the novel coronavirus variant B.1.1.7 more contagious

Researchers at the University of São Paulo found that the SARS-CoV-2 variant’s spike protein interacted more strongly with the ACE2 receptor used by the virus to invade and replicate in human cells.


Lack of physical exercise during COVID-19 confinement may lead to a rise in mortality, study shows
SDG 3
Lack of physical exercise during COVID-19 confinement may lead to a rise in mortality, study shows

In a review article published in Frontiers of Endocrinology, Brazilian researchers estimate a reduction of 35% in levels of physical activity and a rise of 28% in sedentary behavior in the initial months of confinement imposed by the pandemic.


Second wave of COVID-19 in Manaus rekindles debate on herd immunity
SDG 3
Second wave of COVID-19 in Manaus rekindles debate on herd immunity

Experts tell Agência FAPESP about factors that may be associated with the rapid rise in daily case numbers in the capital of Amazonas State, where a six-month state of emergency has been declared.


Drought favors plant-pathogenic fungi in pasturelands and release of carbon dioxide from the soil
SDG 2, SDG 13
Drought favors plant-pathogenic fungi in pasturelands and release of carbon dioxide from the soil

Researchers at the University of São Paulo conducted field experiments to estimate the impact of drought and rising temperatures on soil quality and plant health.


Women’s immune system responds better to COVID-19, study shows
SDG 3
Women’s immune system responds better to COVID-19, study shows

When researchers reanalyzed datasets from more than 1,000 patients, they found differences between men and women in the expression of genes associated with the functioning of immune cells and the production of inflammatory molecules. The findings point to possible targets for treatment of both sexes.


Large mammals make soil more fertile in tropical forests
SDG 15
Large mammals make soil more fertile in tropical forests

A study conducted by scientists at São Paulo State University demonstrates that animals like peccaries and tapirs boost soil levels of nitrogen, an essential element to plant growth.


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