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

Growth of coral reef in southern Atlantic was controlled by changes in last 5,000 years
SDG 14
Growth of coral reef in southern Atlantic was controlled by changes in last 5,000 years

Described in 2019, the Queimada Grande coral reef off the coast of São Paulo state arose when the ocean was warmer and stopped growing when cooler sea surface temperatures influenced the climate in the region, according to a study led by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo.


Researchers succeed in manipulating excitons using sound waves
SDG 9
Researchers succeed in manipulating excitons using sound waves

The result permits external control of the light emission from quantum states in two-dimensional semiconductors.


“Prof. U.E. Stumpf” Engineering Research Center helps orient Stellantis’s decisions on ethanol in Brazil
SDG 7, SDG 9
“Prof. U.E. Stumpf” Engineering Research Center helps orient Stellantis’s decisions on ethanol in Brazil

The automotive giant resulting from the PSA-Fiat Chrysler merger is partnering with FAPESP in this ERC, which is integrated with Stellantis’s global network of science labs.


Research involving rhesus macaques paves way for schistosomiasis vaccine
SDG 3
Research involving rhesus macaques paves way for schistosomiasis vaccine

Experiments conducted at Butantan Institute (Brazil) show how the primate’s immune system prevents multiplication of the parasite in the organism. The discovery will facilitate the identification of targets for novel therapies and vaccines.


Treatment with injections of zika virus destroys brain tumors in mice without causing neurological damage
SDG 3
Treatment with injections of zika virus destroys brain tumors in mice without causing neurological damage

Experiments conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center showed that besides directly combating tumor cells, zika alerted the immune system to the presence of cancer. The study opens up prospects for the use of virotherapy for central nervous system tumors.


Study presents novel therapeutic target for treatment of sepsis
SDG 3
Study presents novel therapeutic target for treatment of sepsis

Researchers affiliated with a FAPESP-funded research center showed that a protein called gasdermin D is involved in septic patients’ organ lesions. The study also proved that a drug originally indicated to treat alcohol dependence can inhibit the molecule’s action and prevent complications.


Brazil has the potential to lead the world carbon market
SDG 13
Brazil has the potential to lead the world carbon market

With 50 million hectares of reforestable land, Brazil can make a decisive contribution to efforts to achieve the world’s climate change mitigation targets, while earning substantial income from carbon credit trading, according to participants in a webinar hosted by BIOTA-FAPESP.


Research group uses ozone and dry heat treatment to enhance properties of cassava starch
SDG 9
Research group uses ozone and dry heat treatment to enhance properties of cassava starch

Methods considered emerging are environment-friendly and can be implemented now by industry in various segments.


Research lays foundation for future development of ultraviolet LEDs
SDG 9
Research lays foundation for future development of ultraviolet LEDs

Scientists at the University of Campinas investigated the electronic and optical properties of boron nitride, currently used as an electrical insulator. One of the possible applications is in high-efficiency devices to sterilize spaces, surfaces and water.


Startup develops artificial tissue with vascularization
SDG 3, SDG 9
Startup develops artificial tissue with vascularization

FAPESP has funded development of the solution, which can in future be used to bioprint human organs using cells from the recipient.


São Paulo state and France agree to intensify scientific collaboration
SDG 17
São Paulo state and France agree to intensify scientific collaboration

FAPESP signed an extension of its scientific cooperation agreement with CNRS and another agreement to fund young researchers’ projects in biomedical sciences conducted at the Pasteur-USP Science Platform.


Diagnostics, vaccines and public policies have improved thanks to FAPESP-supported research on COVID-19
SDG 3
Diagnostics, vaccines and public policies have improved thanks to FAPESP-supported research on COVID-19

Participants in an online seminar presented the results of research projects approved under a fast-track call issued by FAPESP at the start of the pandemic. The projects led to important discoveries on the mechanisms of the disease, development of vaccine and diagnostic technologies, and a deeper understanding of the role of governments in public health emergencies.


Participation by civil society is indispensable to conservation of cultural heritage, experts say
SDG 16
Participation by civil society is indispensable to conservation of cultural heritage, experts say

The topic was discussed during the 7th FAPESP 60 Years Conference. The speakers presented proposals that could help institutions surmount the longstanding problem of lack of funds in Brazil.


Brazil-China research collaborations are strategic to combat adverse effects of climate change
SDG 13, SDG 17
Brazil-China research collaborations are strategic to combat adverse effects of climate change

A workshop held by FAPESP and NNSFC featured scientists from China and São Paulo presenting research projects with potential for partnership.


Model developed in Brazil can predict conviction of lawmakers for corruption
SDG 16
Model developed in Brazil can predict conviction of lawmakers for corruption

A study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo estimated the likelihood of politicians’ future conviction for corruption and other financial crimes by analyzing networks pointing to similarity of voting histories.


Study points to novel method of detecting complications caused by <i>P. vivax</i> in malaria patients
SDG 3
Study points to novel method of detecting complications caused by <i>P. vivax</i> in malaria patients

A research group led by scientists at the University of Campinas in Brazil found total parasite biomass to be a better predictor of complications from malaria than parasite burden in the bloodstream. The discovery can help develop treatment and a Plasmodium vivax vaccine.


Slowness of gait can predict risk of frailty in older people
SDG 3
Slowness of gait can predict risk of frailty in older people

The finding is reported in an article in the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle by researchers in Brazil and the UK, who analyzed data for more than 3,000 people aged 60 and over.


New Caledonia has the greatest diversity of deep-sea corals in the world
SDG 14
New Caledonia has the greatest diversity of deep-sea corals in the world

A book with a Brazilian co-author documents 267 species in the archipelago, 47 of which had never been described before. It resulted from 37 scientific expeditions conducted between 1978 and 2016 by France’s National Museum of Natural History.


Brazilian researchers develop nanocompound for targeted treatment of tumors
SDG 3
Brazilian researchers develop nanocompound for targeted treatment of tumors

The proposition is to use nanoparticles that can be guided by applying an external magnetic field to attack solid tumors resistant to conventional treatment.


Startup uses eggshells as raw material for next-generation dermal filler
SDG 9
Startup uses eggshells as raw material for next-generation dermal filler

The global market for dermal fillers is expected to reach USD 9.4 billion by 2028. The technique consists of injecting hyaluronic acid into the region to be treated.


Children with zika-associated microcephaly display heterogeneous neurological development, study shows
SDG 3
Children with zika-associated microcephaly display heterogeneous neurological development, study shows

Assessment of two- and three-year-olds can help health professionals design personalized treatment. The study involved scientists in Brazil and the United States, and is published in PLOS ONE.


Study shows how waste can be converted into materials for advanced industries
SDG 9, SDG 12
Study shows how waste can be converted into materials for advanced industries

A paper by a research group including Brazilian scientists and international collaborators shows that low-cost waste biomass can be upcycled to make bioplastic, electronic devices, equipment for power generation, storage and transmission, and other high added-value products.


Amazon +10 Fund is backed by ten states with an initial injection of BRL 100 million from FAPESP
SDG 12, SDG 13, SDG 17
Amazon +10 Fund is backed by ten states with an initial injection of BRL 100 million from FAPESP

The launch was announced during COP26 at an event attended by São Paulo State Governor João Doria.


Quantum teleportation communicates the state of a single photon to a device with billions of atoms
SDG 9
Quantum teleportation communicates the state of a single photon to a device with billions of atoms

The experiment, performed by Dutch and Brazilian researchers, is an important step toward the construction of a quantum internet.


Novel computer simulation method can accelerate COVID-19 drug discovery
SDG 3
Novel computer simulation method can accelerate COVID-19 drug discovery

The technique was used by researchers affiliated with institutions in Brazil, Germany and Finland to study the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), a key driver of the virus’s reproductive cycle.


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