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

Frail health and anti-Indigenous attitudes have exacerbated deaths from COVID-19 in the Amazon
SDG 3, SDG 10
Frail health and anti-Indigenous attitudes have exacerbated deaths from COVID-19 in the Amazon

The warning came from a FAPESP-held webinar in which researchers discussed the present-day and historical factors that explain the inadequate response to the pandemic in Brazil’s North region.


Startup produces cholesterol-lowering molecule in tomatoes
SDG 3, SDG 9
Startup produces cholesterol-lowering molecule in tomatoes

The Brazilian startup Crop Biotecnologia has developed a peptide that inhibits bad cholesterol receptors in the liver. The researchers who founded it took part in the 18th edition of the PIPE High Tech Entrepreneurial Training Program.


Study reveals drastic decline of aquatic insect population in Paraná River basin
SDG 14
Study reveals drastic decline of aquatic insect population in Paraná River basin

Analysis of data collected over 20 years suggests the decline is due to the construction of over 180 dams on the Paraná and its tributaries.


Scientists use radar data to measure the impact of forest fires in the Amazon
SDG 13
Scientists use radar data to measure the impact of forest fires in the Amazon

The researchers combined VOD, an indicator of the amount of water in vegetation, with remote sensing data from optical satellites. The innovative strategy described in Remote Sensing provides a more comprehensive understanding of the biomass changes caused by fire.


Discovery facilitates search for drug to sabotage replication of SARS-CoV-2
SDG 3
Discovery facilitates search for drug to sabotage replication of SARS-CoV-2

Scientists at a FAPESP-funded research center investigated the mechanism that produces the main enzyme involved in the virus’s replication in cells. The findings are reported in the Journal of Molecular Biology.


Older people with abdominal fat and weak muscles are more likely to develop mobility problems
SDG 3
Older people with abdominal fat and weak muscles are more likely to develop mobility problems

Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos in Brazil in partnership with University College London (UCL) in the UK analyzed data for 2,294 individuals aged 60 or more who were monitored for eight years. Results were published in the journal Age and Aging.


Researchers identify a novel cell type that makes survivors of sepsis more susceptible to infections
SDG 3
Researchers identify a novel cell type that makes survivors of sepsis more susceptible to infections

Many patients suffer from a significant decline in immunity lasting for years after they are discharged from hospital. In an article published in the journal Immunity, Brazilian researchers reveal why this happens.


Citrus canker bacterium can be an ally in biorenewables manufacturing
SDG 7, SDG 9
Citrus canker bacterium can be an ally in biorenewables manufacturing

A study led by Brazilian scientists revealed the biological process used by Xanthomonas to weaken the defenses of plants and discovered a novel class of enzyme that can be used to obtain advanced sugars from agroindustrial waste.


Study reveals decline in predatory fish catch at Arraial do Cabo, Brazil
SDG 12, SDG 14
Study reveals decline in predatory fish catch at Arraial do Cabo, Brazil

Analysis of fishery data and interviews with artisanal fishers confirmed replacement of large species by others that are less valuable commercially, and 37 species were considered overfished.


Transcranial stimulation enhances beneficial effect of aerobic exercise on gait in Parkinson’s patients
SDG 3
Transcranial stimulation enhances beneficial effect of aerobic exercise on gait in Parkinson’s patients

The result was obtained in a study of 20 volunteers by researchers at São Paulo State University. The treatment is painless and uses a weak current delivered by electrodes placed over specific brain regions.


Brazilian physicists create a model to predict mutations in SARS-CoV-2
SDG 3
Brazilian physicists create a model to predict mutations in SARS-CoV-2

The study is published in PLOS ONE. Equations suggest viral population variability can be estimated on the basis of epidemiological data.


Pregnant women with COVID-19 face higher risk of pre-eclampsia, study shows
SDG 3
Pregnant women with COVID-19 face higher risk of pre-eclampsia, study shows

In a review of the scientific literature, researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo concluded that infection by SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy can reduce the availability of ACE2, a protein that plays an important part in placental development, control of blood pressure, and the circulatory adaptations required for fetal development.


Physically active people respond better to COVID-19 vaccine, study shows
SDG 3
Physically active people respond better to COVID-19 vaccine, study shows

More than 1,000 Brazilian volunteers immunized with the CoronaVac vaccine were assessed by researchers at the University of São Paulo. Those who were active for at least 150 minutes per week without long sedentary periods produced more antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.


A smartphone app to monitor cancer patients
SDG 3, SDG 9
A smartphone app to monitor cancer patients

The platform is used by several hospitals, has more than 2,500 users, and performs 800 care processes per month on average.


Genetic profile of tumor can indicate best treatment for brain cancer patients
SDG 3
Genetic profile of tumor can indicate best treatment for brain cancer patients

A study conducted by researchers at the Center for Cell-Based Therapy in São Paulo state, Brazil, identified a genetic signature that can be used to predict whether patients should be submitted to radiation therapy.


Fire in wet area of the Amazon destroys 27% of trees in up to three years, study finds
SDG 13
Fire in wet area of the Amazon destroys 27% of trees in up to three years, study finds

Based on data collected in the field, Brazilian researchers showed that small and medium trees suffer most in the first two years after a fire, but the overall impact on vegetation can last decades. Carbon stocks fall 12.8% in burned areas on average.


Gamma (P1) is more aggressive but can be contained with vaccine and lockdown, study shows
SDG 3
Gamma (P1) is more aggressive but can be contained with vaccine and lockdown, study shows

Correlating whole-genome sequencing with epidemiological data for the city of São José do Rio Preto in Brazil, researchers show that severe COVID-19 and deaths from the disease rose sharply when the variant became prevalent in the region. A two-week lockdown and vaccination of the elderly averted a collapse of the health system.


First genetic sequencing of Brazilian pit viper is completed
SDG 15
First genetic sequencing of Brazilian pit viper is completed

In an article published in PNAS, researchers affiliated with Butantan Institute describe the genome of Bothrops jararaca and suggest the origin of genes responsible for toxins in its venom.


Tree falls during dry season in São Paulo City are due to poor management, study suggests
SDG 11
Tree falls during dry season in São Paulo City are due to poor management, study suggests

An article in Trees - Structure and Function reports findings from an analysis of 7,000 tree falls in a three-year period. Stormy weather was the main cause during the rainy season.


Birds that disperse more types of seed have better evolutionary chances
SDG 15
Birds that disperse more types of seed have better evolutionary chances

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo and published in Science correlates birds and plants in seed dispersal networks.


Without proper management, wildfires in natural areas will intensify in the months ahead, study warns
SDG 13
Without proper management, wildfires in natural areas will intensify in the months ahead, study warns

A study alerts to the conjunction between a climate change scenario and little inspection with the arrival of the dry season in the country, which favors large-scale fires – such as that which occurred in the Pantanal in 2020. To avoid further tragedies, researchers defend the implementation of a policy of integrated fire management.


Drugs used to treat autoimmune rheumatic disease may weaken the immune response induced by COVID-19
SDG 3
Drugs used to treat autoimmune rheumatic disease may weaken the immune response induced by COVID-19

A study published in Nature Medicine evaluated individuals before and after taking CoronaVac. Based on the results, researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School are testing novel strategies such as suspending treatment one or two weeks before vaccination.


Nature-based solutions are essential to combat the adverse effects of climate change
SDG 13
Nature-based solutions are essential to combat the adverse effects of climate change

Researchers analyzed strategies for ecosystem conservation and rehabilitation of degraded areas in the second part of the FAPESP 60 Years Lectures.


Brazilian company develops and exports DNA polymerases
SDG 9
Brazilian company develops and exports DNA polymerases

With FAPESP’s support, Cellco created a novel process to produce enzymes used in DNA manipulation in vitro, including cloning, sequencing and mutagenesis, among other techniques, with applications in medical diagnostics and forensic analysis based on genetic material.


Enzyme from Amazon fungus could enhance efficiency of second-generation ethanol production
SDG 7
Enzyme from Amazon fungus could enhance efficiency of second-generation ethanol production

The molecule described by Brazilian researchers in the journal Scientific Reports acts on different sugars present in several sources of plant biomass, making it attractive to other industries as well.


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