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

Community health workers could play a key part in combating the pandemic in Brazil, researcher says
SDG 1, SDG 3
Community health workers could play a key part in combating the pandemic in Brazil, researcher says

An article in The Lancet stresses the vulnerability of these health workers, whose readiness to counter fake news with trustworthy information, and to monitor COVID-19 patients in home isolation, has been neglected.


Conservation planning in Amazon should prioritize aquatic biodiversity, study concludes
SDG 14, SDG 15
Conservation planning in Amazon should prioritize aquatic biodiversity, study concludes

Simulations using field data suggest focusing on the protection of species that live in rivers and lakes can be more efficient than the approach most used now, which focuses on terrestrial biodiversity. An article at Science is based on the findings.


Brazilian firm develops ultra-fast method to test tenderness of beef cuts
SDG 9
Brazilian firm develops ultra-fast method to test tenderness of beef cuts

Portable nuclear magnetic resonance device designed with FAPESP’s support will inform consumers regarding value added to beef products.


An inexpensive technique to display 3D images of novel coronavirus in cells
SDG 3, SDG 9
An inexpensive technique to display 3D images of novel coronavirus in cells

Protocol developed by Brazilian researchers shows SARS-CoV-2 replicating near cell nucleus. Methodology helps scientists understand coronavirus’s action mechanism and could also be used to study other viruses.


Invasive grasses threaten survival of Brazilian savanna
SDG 11, SDG 14
Invasive grasses threaten survival of Brazilian savanna

Brazilian researchers show that African forage grasses resist management by fire and that palisade grass tends to spread to burned areas previously occupied by molasses grass, another invasive species.


Venom glands similar to those of snakes are found for first time in amphibians
SDG 15
Venom glands similar to those of snakes are found for first time in amphibians

Brazilian researchers discover that caecilians, limbless amphibians resembling worms or snakes that emerged some 150 million years before the latter, can probably inject venom into their prey while biting.


Nationwide epidemiological survey points to decelerating transmission of COVID-19 in most of Brazil
SDG 3
Nationwide epidemiological survey points to decelerating transmission of COVID-19 in most of Brazil

In the fourth phase of EPICOVID-19 BR, the proportion of the population with antibodies against the novel coronavirus fell from 3.8% in June to 1.4% in August in 133 cities. According to the authors, the methodology accurately estimates contagion rates in the previous 45 days.


Anti-convulsant drug can modify DNA conformation and interact with chromosome proteins
SDG 3
Anti-convulsant drug can modify DNA conformation and interact with chromosome proteins

Brazilian research group shows that valproic acid (VPA), used to treat epilepsy since the 1960s, modulates gene expression in tumor gene models and acts on DNA conformation and the histones in chromatin.


Study shows impact of climate change on Neotropical freshwater ecosystems
SDG 13
Study shows impact of climate change on Neotropical freshwater ecosystems

Researchers from six countries in the Americas explored bromeliad microcosms, showing how drought and flood affect the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, especially at the bottom of the food chain.


Microbiome-based technologies drive multibillion-dollar market
SDG 9, SDG 12
Microbiome-based technologies drive multibillion-dollar market

New research field promises to transform food production and treatment of diseases. A global panel of experts unified concepts to define research priorities and offer basis for legislation.


A study could provide guidelines for exercise training aimed at high blood pressure patients
SDG 3
A study could provide guidelines for exercise training aimed at high blood pressure patients

Brazilian researchers’ finding that exercising in the evening reduces blood pressure more than in the morning can help health professionals choose the time of day for aerobic training depending on the type of anti-hypertensive drug they take.


Brazilian high-tech startup develops molecule that promotes muscle mass growth
SDG 9
Brazilian high-tech startup develops molecule that promotes muscle mass growth

The startup’s founders were researchers at the University of São Paulo and adjusted their marketing strategy to focus on regenerative, veterinary and sports medicine thanks to training provided by PIPE, FAPESP’s program for Innovative Research in Small Business.


Study shows influence of biological sex and age on clinical profile of COVID-19 in Brazil
SDG 3
Study shows influence of biological sex and age on clinical profile of COVID-19 in Brazil

Researchers affiliated with institutions in Brazil and elsewhere analyzed blood work from almost 179,000 people who were tested for the novel coronavirus. They obtained the data from COVID-19 Data Sharing/BR, an open-access repository established by FAPESP.


Southern hemisphere could see up to 30% less rain at end of the century if Earth’s temperature rises 3 °C
SDG 13
Southern hemisphere could see up to 30% less rain at end of the century if Earth’s temperature rises 3 °C

Analysis published in Scientific Reports is based on climate models for the mid-Pliocene period, which occurred 3 million years ago and shared characteristics with present-day warming.


Emergency income support has changed the way Brazilian society sees the welfare safety net
SDG 1, SDG 10, SDG 16
Emergency income support has changed the way Brazilian society sees the welfare safety net

Economists who took part in a webinar organized by FAPESP to discuss options for the post-pandemic economic recovery said this is the right time to implement broad basic income policies.


Brazilian researchers develop saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic test
SDG 3, SDG 9
Brazilian researchers develop saliva-based COVID-19 diagnostic test

Designed by the Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center, the novel test may cost a quarter of those based on RT-PCR, considered the gold standard for diagnosis of the disease.


Mega-study shows limits to survival of tropical forests
SDG 13, SDG 15
Mega-study shows limits to survival of tropical forests

Dozens of scientists from several countries calculated upper limits to global and local temperatures if tropical forests are to survive.


Exercise protocol mitigates one of the most incapacitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease
SDG 3
Exercise protocol mitigates one of the most incapacitating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Brazilian researchers use complex training program to stimulate different motor and cognitive skills simultaneously and restore brain regions associated with freezing of gait in advanced-stage patients.


International study will compare different countries’ responses to COVID-19
SDG 3, SDG 16
International study will compare different countries’ responses to COVID-19

Project led by researchers from Brazilian and American institutions will collect primary data during the pandemic to create a repository that will serve as a basis for future studies. The findings of the comparative analysis will be published in book form.


System monitors presence of novel coronavirus in air
SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 12
System monitors presence of novel coronavirus in air

Integrated with the air quality management tool created by startup Omni-electronica, a collector captures viruses suspended in the environment and submits the air samples to RT-PCR testing. Monitoring of crowded locations combined with indicators created by the firm can contribute to a safer economic reopening.


Incentives for the production of bioenergy must continue as part of post-pandemic recovery
SDG 7, SDG 12
Incentives for the production of bioenergy must continue as part of post-pandemic recovery

Governments should assure continuity of policies that promote bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts, say the speakers in a webinar held by the Brazilian Bioenergy Science and Technology Conference, which is supported by BIOEN-FAPESP.


Substances with anti-cancer action are identified in Brazilian red propolis
SDG 3
Substances with anti-cancer action are identified in Brazilian red propolis

Researchers isolated eight novel polyphenols from the rarest type of propolis. Two of them were found to inhibit tumor cell proliferation in laboratory assays.


Brazilian researcher creates an ultra-simple inexpensive method to fabricate optical fiber
SDG 9
Brazilian researcher creates an ultra-simple inexpensive method to fabricate optical fiber

The conventional process requires costly large-scale equipment. The novel method can be executed in a single step by a device no larger than a microwave oven.


Exercise hormone may modulate genes associated with replication of novel coronavirus, study suggests
SDG 3
Exercise hormone may modulate genes associated with replication of novel coronavirus, study suggests

Brazilian researchers observed that in uninfected adipocytes, the hormone irisin altered the expression of genes that regulate ACE-2, which encodes a protein to which the virus binds in order to invade human cells.


Brazilian scientists start to unravel the mystery of North American insect bioluminescent systems
SDG 15
Brazilian scientists start to unravel the mystery of North American insect bioluminescent systems

Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar) isolated molecules present in the larvae of a blue light-emitting fungus gnat that inhabits the Appalachians. The study will help elucidate human diseases and could lead to novel biotech applications.


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