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

3D skin created in the laboratory can eliminate animal testing of cosmetics and sunscreens
SDG 9, SDG 12
3D skin created in the laboratory can eliminate animal testing of cosmetics and sunscreens

Model developed by startup supported by FAPESP enables scientists to assess efficacy and safety of sunscreens and anti-aging products under conditions closely resembling real life.


Diabetes epidemic detected among Xavante indigenous community in Central Brazil
SDG 3, SDG 10
Diabetes epidemic detected among Xavante indigenous community in Central Brazil

Researchers examine retinas and find high prevalence of type 2 diabetes as well as ocular problems caused by the disease.


Research produces intense light beams with quantum correlations
SDG 9
Research produces intense light beams with quantum correlations

Potential applications of research conducted at the University of São Paulo include high-precision metrology and information encoding.


Studies detail impact of mammal species decline in Neotropics
SDG 15
Studies detail impact of mammal species decline in Neotropics

Group led by Brazilian ecologist shows defaunation wiped out 40% of the ecosystem services provided or supported by mammals, such as ecotourism, disease control and soil formation. Large-bodied mammals are disappearing fastest.


Protein present in blood of COVID-19 patients can indicate progress and severity of the disease
SDG 3
Protein present in blood of COVID-19 patients can indicate progress and severity of the disease

Brazilian researchers discovered that sTREM-1 protein in immunoglobulin family could be a very useful biomarker to help medical teams make clinical decisions.


Brazilian synchrotron light source helps scientists look for COVID-19 drugs in first experiment
SDG 3, SDG 9
Brazilian synchrotron light source helps scientists look for COVID-19 drugs in first experiment

Sirius’s protein crystallography beamline analyzed more than 200 protein crystals from the novel coronavirus as they were exposed to tiny fragments of widely used drugs. If a compound fits perfectly into a target protein, its action can be blocked in the virus.


Ultraviolet light to inactivate novel coronavirus
SDG 3, SDG 9
Ultraviolet light to inactivate novel coronavirus

Devices developed by Brazilian startup BioLambda decontaminate face shields, surfaces, workspaces and air.


Atrophy can be combated by boosting expression of an enzyme produced in muscles
SDG 3
Atrophy can be combated by boosting expression of an enzyme produced in muscles

Intervention was tested in mice by Brazilian researchers. Study showed that targeted stimulation of PKA production promoted muscle growth and enhanced resistance to fatigue.


Researchers use genomics to reconstitute yellow fever outbreak in São Paulo
SDG 3
Researchers use genomics to reconstitute yellow fever outbreak in São Paulo

Three waves of the disease swept the state between 2016 and 2018. An international group of researchers described how the virus spread in a study published in PLOS Pathogens based on the sequencing of 51 viral isolates extracted from mosquitoes and monkeys.


Chikungunya may affect central nervous system as well as joints and lungs
SDG 3
Chikungunya may affect central nervous system as well as joints and lungs

Investigation conducted by international group of researchers showed that chikungunya virus can cause neurological infections. Risk of death in subacute phase is higher for patients with diabetes and significant for young adults.


SARS-CoV-2 uses similar strategy to HIV to infect defense cells
SDG 3
SARS-CoV-2 uses similar strategy to HIV to infect defense cells

Experiments conducted by Brazilian researchers with lymphocytes isolated from COVID-19 patients showed the virus using the protein CD4 to invade cells that play a key role in coordinating the immune response.


Gastroesophageal reflux may increase risk of dying from COVID-19, study suggests
SDG 3
Gastroesophageal reflux may increase risk of dying from COVID-19, study suggests

Analyses by Brazilian researchers suggest alterations to pH caused by stomach acid lead to increase in expression of ACE2 and make cells more susceptible to infection by novel coronavirus.


Center for Artificial Intelligence supported by FAPESP, IBM and USP starts operating
SDG 9
Center for Artificial Intelligence supported by FAPESP, IBM and USP starts operating

The newest Engineering Research Center will initially focus on challenges relating to health, the environment, food production chains, the future of work, and the development of natural language processing tools for Brazilian Portuguese.


Tube-dwelling anemone toxins have pharmacological potential, mapping study shows
SDG 3, SDG 14
Tube-dwelling anemone toxins have pharmacological potential, mapping study shows

Analysis identified 525 genes encoding proteins that act on the nervous system, cardiovascular system and cell walls. One of the molecules proved effective against cancer cells in preliminary test results.


Values-Based behavior under COVID-19 is the theme of a webinar promoted by FAPESP
SDG 3, SDG 11
Values-Based behavior under COVID-19 is the theme of a webinar promoted by FAPESP

Renowned scientists will address topics related to how society has been coping with this threatening environment and will discuss factors that influence behavioral change.


Brazilian researchers discover how muscle regenerates after exercise
SDG 3
Brazilian researchers discover how muscle regenerates after exercise

Adaptation of muscle tissue to aerobic exercise alters the metabolism of muscle stem cells, helping them recover from injury. Findings may contribute to treatment of cachexia, sarcopenia and other conditions associated with lean mass loss.


Study reveals genetic factors that can make placenta less capable of protecting fetus from zika
SDG 3
Study reveals genetic factors that can make placenta less capable of protecting fetus from zika

Findings reported by Brazilian researchers in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases help explain why only some babies whose mothers are infected during pregnancy are born with microcephaly and other anomalies.


Study suggests SARS-CoV-2 can infect and kill lymphocytes
SDG 3
Study suggests SARS-CoV-2 can infect and kill lymphocytes

Brazilian researchers found the novel coronavirus replicating inside immune cells from patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Experiments on lymphocytes infected in the laboratory showed that viral entry induced programmed cell death.


Regenerated forests offset 12% of carbon emissions due to deforestation in Brazilian Amazon in 33 years
SDG 13
Regenerated forests offset 12% of carbon emissions due to deforestation in Brazilian Amazon in 33 years

A study quantified the size and age of the forests that grow naturally in degraded and abandoned areas, creating 131 benchmark maps for Brazil. The Amazon has the most restored forests and the Atlantic Rainforest biome has the oldest.


Beekeeper-farmer connection app receives capital injection and scales up pollination service
SDG 9, SDG 12
Beekeeper-farmer connection app receives capital injection and scales up pollination service

Brazilian startup Agrobee signs agreement with Agroven, an investment club run by family farmers who want to promote technological development in the sector.


Study proves that novel coronavirus harms brain and details its effects on nerve cells
SDG 3
Study proves that novel coronavirus harms brain and details its effects on nerve cells

Led by research groups from the universities of Campinas and São Paulo, the investigation combined MRI scans of mild COVID-19 patients, analysis of brain tissue samples from patients who died from COVID-19, and experiments performed with human nerve cells infected in the laboratory.


Study identifies key enzyme for development of autoimmune diseases
SDG 3
Study identifies key enzyme for development of autoimmune diseases

In an article published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, a group affiliated with a FAPESP-supported research center reports that an enzyme associated with energy production in cells also participates in the differentiation of immune cells involved in exacerbated inflammation. The discovery could lead to more effective treatment.


Combination of omega-3 and aspirin helps treat periodontitis in diabetics
SDG 3
Combination of omega-3 and aspirin helps treat periodontitis in diabetics

Study conducted at São Paulo State University demonstrates for first time that simple and inexpensive strategy yields better results than conventional treatment and avoids indiscriminate use of antibiotics.


Study could lead to diagnostic test for schizophrenia and bipolarity
SDG 3
Study could lead to diagnostic test for schizophrenia and bipolarity

Methodology developed by Brazilian researchers is based on analysis of metabolites in blood serum. Innovation has been patented and reported in Journal of Psychiatric Research.


Immunity induced by other coronaviruses may not protect older people against COVID-19
SDG 3
Immunity induced by other coronaviruses may not protect older people against COVID-19

Study led by researchers at Oxford University suggests that after successive infections by the coronaviruses that cause common colds throughout life the defense system becomes specialized and cannot recognize emergent varieties such as SARS-CoV-2.


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