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

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.


Scientists study use of abundant enzyme in tumor cells to monitor cancer treatment
SDG 3
Scientists study use of abundant enzyme in tumor cells to monitor cancer treatment

After 14 years studying the action of the enzyme LMWPTP in tumor cells, Brazilian researchers conclude that the molecule is associated with chemotherapy resistance and metastasis.


Online platform offers reference gene database for biomolecular research
SDG 17
Online platform offers reference gene database for biomolecular research

Open-access atlas created by researchers at the University of Campinas provides information on 2,176 human and 3,277 mouse housekeeping genes that can be used as calibrators in experiments designed to measure variations in gene expression.


Novel method identifies areas most suitable for conservation of black lion tamarin
SDG 15
Novel method identifies areas most suitable for conservation of black lion tamarin

The researchers used modeling to show which areas are suitable in terms of forest cover and climate for occupation by the endangered species, which is endemic to the state of São Paulo. Their study is a contribution to translocation initiatives that move groups of these animals to areas from which the species has disappeared.


Research reveals structure of protein and permits search for drugs to combat neglected diseases
SDG 3
Research reveals structure of protein and permits search for drugs to combat neglected diseases

Discovery by Brazilian scientists paves the way for the study of more potent molecules capable of directly destroying parasites underlying elephantiasis and cutaneous leishmaniasis, with fewer adverse side-effects.


Artificial intelligence at the service of healthcare management
SDG 3, SDG 9
Artificial intelligence at the service of healthcare management

Technology to manage hospital flows is being tested by health units in metropolitan São Paulo.


Global Research Council discusses the role of funding agencies in the pandemic
SDG 16, SDG 17
Global Research Council discusses the role of funding agencies in the pandemic

Fast-track project selection and the capacity to make efficient use of resources and cross-border partnerships have made funders fundamental to the response to the challenges of COVID-19 in the Americas, according to participants in the GRC’s regional meeting.


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