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

Acute chikungunya infection studied at the molecular level in Brazilian patients
SDG 3
Acute chikungunya infection studied at the molecular level in Brazilian patients

Using a systems biology approach, Brazilian researchers identified several genes that can be explored as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers of predisposition to chronic joint pain.


Multidrug-resistant bacteria are found outside the hospital environment
SDG 3
Multidrug-resistant bacteria are found outside the hospital environment

Genetic profiles of microorganisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infection display a high degree of resistance and virulence. The superbug KPC was found in samples.


New mechanisms that regulate pluripotency in embryonic stem cells are discovered
SDG 3
New mechanisms that regulate pluripotency in embryonic stem cells are discovered

A study by researchers at the Center for Cell-Based Therapy, which is supported by FAPESP, identified microRNAs involved in pluripotency maintenance and cell differentiation. The discovery paves the way to the development of drugs capable of making ESCs regress to the earliest stage of development.


State research foundations encourage researchers to play a leading role in international collaborations
SDG 17
State research foundations encourage researchers to play a leading role in international collaborations

The aims of these subnational institutions include bolstering the impact of Brazilian science and increasing the benefits of cross-border cooperation.


Native vegetation restoration projects in Brazil can total 12 million hectares by 2030
SDG 13
Native vegetation restoration projects in Brazil can total 12 million hectares by 2030

Reports launched by the Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services estimates that forest restoration on this scale would sequester 1.39 million tons of CO2 and increase biodiversity conservation by 200% without adverse impacts on agriculture.


A new species of electric eel produces the highest voltage discharge of any known animal
SDG 14
A new species of electric eel produces the highest voltage discharge of any known animal

An article published in Nature Communications shows that three species of electric eel exist, not just one as previously described, and that one of them produces an electric shock up to 860 volts. The researchers were funded by FAPESP, the Smithsonian and National Geographic.


Automated platform monitors tire status in truck fleets
SDG 9
Automated platform monitors tire status in truck fleets

Brazilian startup develops a solution that assures efficient management of large truck fleets, attracting customers in agribusiness and mining.


Medication for menstrual pain relief proves effective against schistosomiasis
SDG 3
Medication for menstrual pain relief proves effective against schistosomiasis

In a study supported by FAPESP, experiments with mice showed the anti-inflammatory drug mefenamic acid to be more efficacious than praziquantel, the only drug available to combat the disease.


Cable tethered to an asteroid can be used for a slingshot maneuver to save fuel in space missions
SDG 9
Cable tethered to an asteroid can be used for a slingshot maneuver to save fuel in space missions

Brazilian researchers studied the feasibility of a space maneuver that could be used to change the course of satellites and even send spacecraft beyond the Solar System with less fuel.


Sterilization of central venous catheters with atmospheric plasma
SDG 3, SDG 9
Sterilization of central venous catheters with atmospheric plasma

Study conducted to test a procedure based on ionization of atmospheric air eliminates 99% of Candida albicans fungus that causes hospital-acquired infections, without generating toxic waste.


Nanostructured material with potential for use in catalyzers
SDG 9
Nanostructured material with potential for use in catalyzers

A titanium oxide nanofiber sheet was developed by a FAPESP-funded research group through electrospinning and atomic layer deposition.


Technique combats widespread passion fruit disease
SDG 9
Technique combats widespread passion fruit disease

Experiments performed in Brazil show that systematic eradication of plants contaminated by cowpea aphid-borne virus (CABMV) can keep orchards producing for at least 25 months and avoid annual replanting.


More than 70 million Brazilians may face water shortages by 2035
SDG 6, SDG 13
More than 70 million Brazilians may face water shortages by 2035

Water shortages cause economic losses for industry and agriculture, among other sectors, as well as damage human health, warns a report issued by the Brazilian Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.


Mathematics as a tool to make the use of big data more representative
SDG 16
Mathematics as a tool to make the use of big data more representative

Participants at the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Learning from Data warn that because minorities have less access to services that generate data, they tend to be underrepresented in databases used for machine learning projects.


Researchers help tracing “river of smoke” that blackened the day in São Paulo
SDG 13
Researchers help tracing “river of smoke” that blackened the day in São Paulo

Particles originated in forest fires in the Center-West and North of Brazil interacted with clouds borne by the cold front coming from the south, causing sky and rain to turn to a dark-grey hue.


New satellite sensor will help gauge the influence of atmospheric aerosols on cloud formation
SDG 3, SDG 13
New satellite sensor will help gauge the influence of atmospheric aerosols on cloud formation

Vanderlei Martins, a professor at the University of Maryland and former FAPESP grantee, is responsible for the device, developed in partnership with NASA. Martins spoke about the project to the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Atmospheric Aerosols, which was funded by FAPESP.


Excessive coffee consumption increases the likelihood of hypertension in genetically predisposed people
SDG 3
Excessive coffee consumption increases the likelihood of hypertension in genetically predisposed people

Brazilian researchers observed the association only in subjects who consumed more than three small cups of coffee per day. Moderate consumption, however, appears to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.


Break in temporal symmetry produces molecules that can encode information
SDG 9
Break in temporal symmetry produces molecules that can encode information

Theoretical findings in a study performed by researchers with FAPESP’s support and published in Scientific Reports could be exploited in the development of quantum computing.


Brazil must increase its participation in large-scale international scientific collaborations
SDG 17
Brazil must increase its participation in large-scale international scientific collaborations

Guaranteeing stable funding is key if Brazilian researchers are to use the scientific instruments that will become available in the years ahead, according to experts at the Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science.


DNA analysis reveals the presence of endangered species in fishery catch and bycatch
SDG 12, SDG 14
DNA analysis reveals the presence of endangered species in fishery catch and bycatch

Over half of the rays and skates caught in Brazil belong to protected species, a DNA barcoding study shows.


Dispersal of Araucaria trees in Atlantic Rainforest was influenced by pre-Columbian people
SDG 15
Dispersal of Araucaria trees in Atlantic Rainforest was influenced by pre-Columbian people

A study conducted as part of a Thematic Project by Brazilian and US researchers investigates how plants and animals in the Atlantic Rainforest biome have reacted to climate change in past millennia.


The risk of death from yellow fever can be detected sooner
SDG 3
The risk of death from yellow fever can be detected sooner

A FAPESP-funded study with results published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases has identified markers capable of predicting mortality in patients with symptoms of yellow fever, potentially helping to prevent the development of severe conditions.


Biorefinery will convert renewable biomass into green intermediate chemicals
SDG 9
Biorefinery will convert renewable biomass into green intermediate chemicals

Brazilian startup wants to supply manufacturers of chemicals and foods with bioproducts that do not harm human or animal health and are produced by sustainable industrial processes.


African forest elephant helps increase biomass and carbon storage
SDG 13, SDG 15
African forest elephant helps increase biomass and carbon storage

An international study with key contributions from Brazilian researchers shows that an endangered species, famed as a “forest gardener,” influences African forest composition in terms of tree species and increases the aboveground biomass over the long term.


Artificial intelligence rationalizes toxicology testing and reduces the use of animals
SDG 9
Artificial intelligence rationalizes toxicology testing and reduces the use of animals

The virtual platform enables R&D personnel in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, agribusiness and fine chemical industries to obtain toxicological and ecotoxicological assessments remotely without needing to have their own labs.


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