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

Lab-created molecule achieves positive results in the treatment of arthritis
SDG 3
Lab-created molecule achieves positive results in the treatment of arthritis

Tested in mice with genetically induced arthritis, the substance decreased the area affected, reduced local swelling, and assuaged the pain associated with the inflammatory process.


Novel coronavirus also causes death from heart failure
SDG 3
Novel coronavirus also causes death from heart failure

Autopsies performed on COVID-19 patients treated at the largest hospital complex in Latin America show that some died mainly as a result of cardiovascular alterations.


An inventory providing information on more than 200 viruses that infect plants in Brazil
SDG 2
An inventory providing information on more than 200 viruses that infect plants in Brazil

The largest database of plant viruses in Brazil serves as a tool for researchers, growers and policymakers.


Photodynamic therapy can combat secondary infections in COVID-19 patients
SDG 3
Photodynamic therapy can combat secondary infections in COVID-19 patients

Researchers at the Optics and Photonics Research Center, supported by FAPESP, advocate the technique as an additional treatment for patients with the disease.


Specialists discuss contact tracing as a tool to plan action against COVID-19
SDG 3, SDG 17
Specialists discuss contact tracing as a tool to plan action against COVID-19

Researchers from Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and the US took part in a webinar organized by FAPESP to discuss privacy and data security and how people’s behavior shapes the pandemic


COVID-19 had already spread in Brazil when measures to contain it were implemented
SDG 3
COVID-19 had already spread in Brazil when measures to contain it were implemented

Study determined how the disease was transmitted using genomic data for SARS-CoV-2 obtained by sequencing almost 500 viral isolates from Brazilian patients and cross-referencing this with air travel data and deaths from the disease in the period.


Machine learning makes drug repurposing for psychiatric disorders more effective
SDG 3
Machine learning makes drug repurposing for psychiatric disorders more effective

Researchers have correlated information on drugs, genes and diseases to identify potential candidates for psychiatric and neurological treatment. The methodology they developed will be used to search for drugs against COVID-19.


Deep-seated changes triggered by pandemic could speed up adoption of bioenergy
SDG 7
Deep-seated changes triggered by pandemic could speed up adoption of bioenergy

Novel forms of societal behavior and political priorities during the coronavirus crisis may become permanent, creating even more favorable conditions for increased use of renewables, as discussed in a webinar hosted by the FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program.


Genetically similar fungi cause severe infections in different hospitals
SDG 3
Genetically similar fungi cause severe infections in different hospitals

Present in the human digestive tract, species of Candida can cause bloodstream infections in patients treated in intensive care units. An international study involving 16 hospitals found isolates with high levels of virulence.


Experts indicate avenues to combat pandemic in second-half 2020
SDG 3
Experts indicate avenues to combat pandemic in second-half 2020

The contagion curve in Brazil appears to have plateaued and is set to remain at the current level until at least the end of 2020. Investing in the identification and isolation of infected people and their close contacts, keeping schools closed and improving the quality of the information offered to the public are measures governments should take to make sure the situation does not become even worse.


Oldest South American fossil lizard discovered in Brazil
SDG 15
Oldest South American fossil lizard discovered in Brazil

The animal was approximately 10 cm long and lived more than 130 million years ago in what is now the state of Minas Gerais. Its morphology differs from that of all other known lizard species.


Adipose tissue may be a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, Brazilian researchers suggest
SDG 3
Adipose tissue may be a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, Brazilian researchers suggest

A study showed that the novel coronavirus can infect human adipocytes and that the viral load is three times higher in aged adipose cells. The results may help us understand why people with obesity and those who are older are more at risk of developing the severe form of COVID-19.


Over 50% of adults in the state of São Paulo have experienced anxiety frequently since the pandemic began
SDG 3
Over 50% of adults in the state of São Paulo have experienced anxiety frequently since the pandemic began

Online survey with 11,863 respondents also shows that feeling sad or depressed became routine for 39%, while overall health worsened for 26%.


Brazilian researchers develop an optical fiber made of gel derived from marine algae
SDG 9, SDG 12
Brazilian researchers develop an optical fiber made of gel derived from marine algae

Edible, biocompatible and biodegradable, these fibers have potential for various medical applications. The results are described in the journal Scientific Reports.


Study identifies the factors that contributed to the initial spread of COVID-19
SDG 3
Study identifies the factors that contributed to the initial spread of COVID-19

Researchers used statistical techniques to analyze data of 126 countries. The variables that intensified contagion at the start of the outbreak included low temperature, a large proportion of older people, foreign tourist arrivals, and greeting habits involving physical contact.


Social isolation and face covering reduced SARS-CoV-2 spread by 15% in Brazil’s 1st epicenter of COVID-19
SDG 3
Social isolation and face covering reduced SARS-CoV-2 spread by 15% in Brazil’s 1st epicenter of COVID-19

The reduction resulting from implementation of these measures in São Paulo has been calculated for the period between mid-March and early May using a mathematical model developed by a FAPESP-funded research center. The scientists also estimated that these two public health measures reduced the peak of transmission by 25% in Brasília.


Game application monitors health of older people in social isolation owing to COVID-19 pandemic
SDG 3, SDG 9
Game application monitors health of older people in social isolation owing to COVID-19 pandemic

Program developed by startup with FAPESP’s support was initially designed to train cognitive skills and help improve physical fitness but will now have extended functionality.


Leukemia drug shows the potential to treat aggressive pediatric brain cancer
SDG 3
Leukemia drug shows the potential to treat aggressive pediatric brain cancer

When tested in vitro, arsenic trioxide killed tumor cells and prevented the formation of new colonies. This leukemia drug also boosted the effect of radiation therapy on medulloblastoma, a type of central nervous system tumor most common in children


Experimental drug reduces replication of zika and prevents microcephaly in mice
SDG 3
Experimental drug reduces replication of zika and prevents microcephaly in mice

The compound inhibited the action of a protein activated by the virus to suppress the host’s immune response. The therapy also proved effective against dengue virus and will be tested at the University of São Paulo against coronavirus.


Combining different vaccines could extend protection against COVID-19, scientists believe
SDG 3
Combining different vaccines could extend protection against COVID-19, scientists believe

Testing has begun in Brazilian volunteers of two candidate vaccines at an advanced stage of development. In an online seminar co-organized by Agência FAPESP, researchers involved in Phase 3 clinical trials said the more vaccines are approved, the better mankind’s chances of controlling COVID-19.


Brazilian COVID-19 patient data repository becomes fully operational
SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 17
Brazilian COVID-19 patient data repository becomes fully operational

Platform created by FAPESP in partnership with University of São Paulo, Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, Hospital Sírio-Libanês and Fleury Group begins providing access to data for more than 177,000 patients, 5 million clinical examinations and 9,600 outcomes.


Researchers have developed a system to detect respiratory failure by analyzing voice samples
SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 17
Researchers have developed a system to detect respiratory failure by analyzing voice samples

Project supported by FAPESP aims to help triage suspected COVID-19 patients.


Climate change may affect second corn crops in Brazil
SDG 13
Climate change may affect second corn crops in Brazil

The so-called safrinha could suffer from extreme drought events in the Center-West, Southeast and South caused by global warming, according to a study supported by FAPESP and Belmont Forum.


Researchers discover hybrid fungus involved in lung infections
SDG 3
Researchers discover hybrid fungus involved in lung infections

This is the first time Aspergillus latus has been found in a hospital. The species is more drug-resistant than its two parents and highly dangerous for patients with respiratory diseases and compromised immune systems. The researchers will now investigate the role of fungi in COVID-19.


Brazilian researchers will test more than 500 substances against novel coronavirus
SDG 3
Brazilian researchers will test more than 500 substances against novel coronavirus

Assembled over a five-year period by the University of São Paulo’s Medicinal Chemistry Group, the material will be tested for treating infected cells. The goal of the research is to find a compound that inhibits the key enzyme in the replication of SARS-CoV-2 without affecting human cells.


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