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

Biosensor permits ultra-fast and cheap detection of SARS-CoV-2
SDG 3, SDG 9
Biosensor permits ultra-fast and cheap detection of SARS-CoV-2

Non-invasive method uses samples of saliva or other body fluids. The diagnosis can be obtained by means of computational techniques for visualizing data and machine learning.


Droughts may increase in South America by the end of the century, study suggests
SDG 13
Droughts may increase in South America by the end of the century, study suggests

If greenhouse gas emissions continue at the current level, the average temperature will tend to rise by as much as 4 °C in some regions. Under this scenario, extreme weather events will be more intense and frequent, according to projections made using the IPCC’s new climate models.


Researchers innovate in gluten-free bread formulations, creating more palatable and nutritious product
SDG 3
Researchers innovate in gluten-free bread formulations, creating more palatable and nutritious product

Study at the Federal University of São Paulo developed a recipe combining chickpea flour and psyllium, a plant-derived soluble fiber. The product is nourishing and rated highly by consumers in qualitative surveys.


Study refutes suspicion that dengue increases risk of microcephaly associated with zika
SDG 3
Study refutes suspicion that dengue increases risk of microcephaly associated with zika

Researchers compared data for pregnant women in Rio de Janeiro and Manaus who were infected by zika virus in 2015-16. Factors that influenced the risk of fetal malformation were the high zika attack rate in the area and being infected in the first trimester of pregnancy.


Study points to remotely supervised exercise classes as best option during lockdown
SDG 3
Study points to remotely supervised exercise classes as best option during lockdown

Based on data for 344 volunteers, Brazilian researchers compared the physical and mental health benefits of workouts led in person by a fitness instructor, unsupervised online sessions, and classes supervised remotely via video call. Gradually increasing intensity was associated with improvements in mental health.


Social protection is decisive to contain COVID-19, according to a study covering 77 countries
SDG 3, SDG 16
Social protection is decisive to contain COVID-19, according to a study covering 77 countries

A project led by researchers at Getúlio Vargas Foundation in Brazil and the University of Michigan in the US produced a detailed analysis of the effects of public policies and government decisions on the response to COVID-19, highlighting the factors that influenced its success or failure in many countries and regions around the world.


Study assesses the prevalence of mental illness during the pandemic among people aged 50-80
SDG 3
Study assesses the prevalence of mental illness during the pandemic among people aged 50-80

The study was conducted in the city of São Paulo, with over 2,000 participants who were active or retired staff of the University of São Paulo and enrolled in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brazil). The researchers say the city has one of the highest prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders in the world.


Project creates system to track circulation of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the city of São Paulo
SDG 3
Project creates system to track circulation of variants of SARS-CoV-2 in the city of São Paulo

The initiative is being implemented as a partnership between local government, DASA Laboratories and FAPESP.


COVID-19 Data Sharing/BR repository helps scientists make discoveries in health and computation
SDG 3, SDG 9
COVID-19 Data Sharing/BR repository helps scientists make discoveries in health and computation

The platform holds more than 50 million datasets from 800,000 patients in Brazil and has registered some 4,000 downloads by users in 36 countries.


Most survivors of severe COVID-19 experience long-term symptoms of the disease
SDG 3
Most survivors of severe COVID-19 experience long-term symptoms of the disease

In an online seminar organized by FAPESP, researchers in Brazil and the United States presented preliminary results of studies on mental health and quality of life among survivors of COVID-19 up to six months after discharge from hospital.


Company develops paper that inactivates novel coronavirus
SDG 9
Company develops paper that inactivates novel coronavirus

Packaging paper and corrugated cardboard eliminate 99.99% of viral particles in up to 10 minutes of contact.


Impact of rising levels of CO2 in the Amazon could outdo that of deforestation in reducing rainfall
SDG 13
Impact of rising levels of CO2 in the Amazon could outdo that of deforestation in reducing rainfall

Simulations run by Brazilian scientists on a supercomputer at the National Space Research Institute (INPE) show that the direct impact of rising levels of carbon dioxide over the Amazon rainforest would be a reduction in rainfall equivalent to or even greater than the impact of complete substitution of the forest by pasture. The result calls attention to the need for regional and global action to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.


Lack of physical activity while in quarantine had adverse effects on the health of women aged 50-70
SDG 3
Lack of physical activity while in quarantine had adverse effects on the health of women aged 50-70

Tests performed by Brazilian researchers after the first 16 weeks of COVID-19-induced confinement showed loss of muscle strength and diminished aerobic capacity, as well as an increase in cholesterol and glycated hemoglobin, both of which are risk factors for metabolic disorders.


FAPESP is supporting the development of nine COVID-19 vaccines
SDG 3
FAPESP is supporting the development of nine COVID-19 vaccines

Butantan Institute produces CoronaVac and is testing two new vaccines. Four projects are under way at the University of São Paulo, and two at startups supported by FAPESP’s PIPE innovation funding program.


Transparent mask increases comprehension of speech by 10%, study shows
SDG 3
Transparent mask increases comprehension of speech by 10%, study shows

An online study involving 154 volunteers measured the importance of visual cues to communication for people with normal hearing and hearing loss.


Researchers highlight inconsistencies of Brazilian policy to deal with climate crisis
SDG 13
Researchers highlight inconsistencies of Brazilian policy to deal with climate crisis

In the run-up to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), experts participating in a webinar hosted by FAPESP showed that the 2020 revision of Brazil’s nationally determined contribution failed to improve targets and allows in practice for a higher level of greenhouse gas emissions.


Nanoparticles extend shelf life of fruit and flowers
SDG 9
Nanoparticles extend shelf life of fruit and flowers

A solution developed by a startup based in São Paulo state combines fungicidal action and delayed ripening. The researchers who founded the startup took part in the 17th edition of the PIPE High-Tech Entrepreneurial Training Program.


Project to create innovation districts in São Paulo state makes progress
SDG 8, SDG 9
Project to create innovation districts in São Paulo state makes progress

Researchers have completed the first stage of a technical study on the creation of environments designed to foster the development of innovative solutions and creativity in the cities of São Paulo and Campinas.


Marine sediments explain how part of Brazil’s Northeast region became semi-arid
SDG 13
Marine sediments explain how part of Brazil’s Northeast region became semi-arid

The phenomenon is linked to gradual contraction of the tropical rain belt over the last 5,000 years, according to a study conducted at the University of São Paulo. Its findings can help predict the region’s future climate.


Poaching affects behavior of critically endangered capuchin monkeys in Brazilian biological reserve
SDG 15
Poaching affects behavior of critically endangered capuchin monkeys in Brazilian biological reserve

Contradicting theories of primatologists, a study led by Brazilian scientists shows that in a habitat with high hunting pressure, the risk of predation influences the habits of these monkeys more than the availability of food. They spend less time in areas they perceive as ‘more dangerous’ even if plant biomass and invertebrates are more abundant there.


Concepts from physics explain importance of quarantine to control spread of COVID-19
SDG 3
Concepts from physics explain importance of quarantine to control spread of COVID-19

A study conducted at São Paulo State University shows that mathematical models used to describe the physical behavior of magnetic materials can also be used to describe the spread of the disease.


Tests show antibodies neutralize P.1 in subjects infected by first strain of novel coronavirus
SDG 3
Tests show antibodies neutralize P.1 in subjects infected by first strain of novel coronavirus

Researchers at the University of São Paulo conducted experiments with blood plasma from 60 volunteers infected in 2020 by SARS-CoV-2 lineage B.1.1.28. In 84% of cases, antibodies in the samples neutralized the Gamma variant in cultured cells.


Drone-borne radar monitors sugarcane growth
SDG 7, SDG 9
Drone-borne radar monitors sugarcane growth

The system, developed by a startup supported by FAPESP, in partnership with researchers at the University of Campinas, helps plantation managers choose the optimal time to harvest the crop.


COVID-19 creates conditions for emergence of ‘superfungus’ in Brazil
SDG 3
COVID-19 creates conditions for emergence of ‘superfungus’ in Brazil

The presence of Candida auris in a hospital in Salvador, Bahia, was confirmed at end-2020 and reported in an article in the Journal of Fungi. The fungus can cause a lethal invasive disease and is ringing alarm bells because of the speed with which it develops drug resistance.


Experiments simulate possible impact of climate change on crabs
SDG 13, SDG 14
Experiments simulate possible impact of climate change on crabs

Fewer Atlantic mangrove fiddler crab embryos survived in a warmer, more acid environment mimicking conditions forecast for the end of this century. Given the important ecological role of this invertebrate in mangroves, the researchers warn of a potential cascade effect.


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