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

Resistance to the main drugs used in Brazil against <i>Leishmania</i> is found in parasite infecting cutaneous leishmaniasis patient
SDG 3
Resistance to the main drugs used in Brazil against <i>Leishmania</i> is found in parasite infecting cutaneous leishmaniasis patient

Trials conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) confirm that the isolate of Leishmania amazonensis from a 46-year-old patient is resistant to amphotericin B.


Platform uses artificial intelligence to calculate body measurements from photographs
SDG 9
Platform uses artificial intelligence to calculate body measurements from photographs

The solution, developed by a startup supported by FAPESP, estimates eight parameters with an error of under 5% for 80% of users, according to the firm’s founder.


Chip that entangles four photons opens up possibility of inviolable quantum encryption
SDG 9
Chip that entangles four photons opens up possibility of inviolable quantum encryption

The device can be used to implement sharing systems in which any attempt at unauthorized access is immediately detected because it alters the quantum correlations.


Project in Brazil studies technologies to integrate offshore wind farms into the country's power grid
SDG 7, SDG 9
Project in Brazil studies technologies to integrate offshore wind farms into the country's power grid

Work conducted at the Research Center for Greenhouse Gas Innovation will also analyze the best way to bring electricity to oil platforms off the Brazilian coast.


Chinese delegation visits FAPESP to align research collaboration strategies
SDG 17
Chinese delegation visits FAPESP to align research collaboration strategies

The meeting was a development arising from FAPESP Week China, held in June in Guangdong Province.


Study reveals mechanism used by tegu lizard to raise own temperature
SDG 15
Study reveals mechanism used by tegu lizard to raise own temperature

Salvator merianae, a giant tegu lizard endemic to South America, regulates its own body temperature during the mating season without relying on external heat and without shivering. Experiments conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University pointed to rising levels and activity of mitochondria in skeletal muscle as the basis for this endothermic ability.


Treatment with smoke can favor seed germination in the Cerrado
SDG 13, SDG 15
Treatment with smoke can favor seed germination in the Cerrado

The study investigated the effect of two concentrations of smoke on seeds of 44 species typical of the Brazilian savanna-like biome. The results could be used in management and restoration strategies.


Common tree in São Paulo (Brazil) tolerates extreme drought and can help mitigate adverse effects of climate change
SDG 11
Common tree in São Paulo (Brazil) tolerates extreme drought and can help mitigate adverse effects of climate change

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo shows that Tipuana tipu grows faster at higher temperatures and can contribute to the city’s resilience.


Researchers develop protein concentrate from fermented common beans
SDG 3
Researchers develop protein concentrate from fermented common beans

Produced by a startup supported by FAPESP, the bean protein concentrate is designed to appeal to flexitarians – consumers who want to increase their intake of plant-based foods and decrease that of animal products.


Organic farms certified by peers display higher product diversity
SDG 2
Organic farms certified by peers display higher product diversity

A study conducted in São Paulo state (Brazil) showed that farms with peer-to-peer certification had 58.8 organic items on average, while farms conventionally certified by third parties had 22.2.


Tool lists most effective strategies for increasing climate awareness and action
SDG 13
Tool lists most effective strategies for increasing climate awareness and action

The international study involved more than 59,000 participants from 63 countries, including Brazil. By analyzing interventions that most influence people’s behavior, the work resulted in the creation of a tool that can be used by policymakers and environmental advocacy groups.


Genetically modified yeast produces second-generation ethanol from complex sugars
SDG 7
Genetically modified yeast produces second-generation ethanol from complex sugars

According to a study published in Scientific Reports, a novel strain of the fungus created at the University of São Paulo was found to be capable of boosting production of cellulosic ethanol by as much as 60% without requiring an increase in sugarcane acreage.


New discoveries regarding tomato hormones can increase total yield
SDG 2
New discoveries regarding tomato hormones can increase total yield

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and colleagues in other countries conducted a study showing that strigolactones – substances hitherto associated only with plant development – can directly influence flowering and fruiting.


Dairy-free infant formula developed by Brazilian startup mimics composition of maternal breast milk
SDG 3, SDG 9
Dairy-free infant formula developed by Brazilian startup mimics composition of maternal breast milk

The biotech based at MIT is developing bioactive versions of the product using the same technique as breweries and pharmaceuticals that produce biologics.


Technology created at USP helped prepare the Brazilian judo team for the Paris Olympics
SDG 9
Technology created at USP helped prepare the Brazilian judo team for the Paris Olympics

Software based on statistical models detects sporting talent and allows athletes’ performance to be monitored. The tool was developed with the support of FAPESP.


Study maps challenges and points to guidelines for restoration of Cerrado
SDG 13, SDG 15
Study maps challenges and points to guidelines for restoration of Cerrado

Researchers at the State University of Campinas and collaborators analyzed data from 82 areas of the Brazilian savanna biome located in five states and the Federal District. The results showed that recovering the biome’s extraordinary diversity requires a combination of several restoration techniques as well as conservation of what has not yet been destroyed.


Study identifies protein that affects health of gut microbiota and response to bacterial infection
SDG 3
Study identifies protein that affects health of gut microbiota and response to bacterial infection

Mice that did not produce interleukin 22 binding protein (IL-22BP) had stronger defenses, according to an article published in PNAS. Understanding the protein’s role in intestinal health can pave the way to novel therapeutic strategies.


Scientists partner with forest peoples in the Amazon to protect endangered archeological sites
SDG 16
Scientists partner with forest peoples in the Amazon to protect endangered archeological sites

The group uses advanced technology to map sites where vestiges of the activities of ancient populations have been preserved but risk being destroyed by the advance of deforestation, wildcat mining and climate change.


Study proposes changes to simplify legislation on Atlantic Rainforest biome and enhance conservation
SDG 13
Study proposes changes to simplify legislation on Atlantic Rainforest biome and enhance conservation

Lack of a method to classify forest succession stages in the applicable legislation allows for destruction of forest areas that provide important ecosystem services. The authors propose changes to make measurements more accurate and eliminate a step in permit applications that is ineffective and costly for landowners.


Mild COVID-19 can cause long-term cognitive losses
SDG 3
Mild COVID-19 can cause long-term cognitive losses

A study involving 302 volunteers showed that although the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 was most intense among those who had severe COVID-19, some exhibited memory loss and attention deficit more than 18 months after being infected, even though they had not needed to be hospitalized.


Combination of drugs produces promising results in combating cancer and will be clinically trialed in Europe
SDG 3
Combination of drugs produces promising results in combating cancer and will be clinically trialed in Europe

Brazilian researchers innovated by stimulating tumor cells so much that they became stressed and could survive only by behaving like healthy cells. The results of the study were so promising that the researchers plan to hold clinical trials with patients, to be conducted in the Netherlands before the end of 2024.


Important region of marine ecosystem in Southwest Atlantic is shallower than expected, study finds
SDG 14
Important region of marine ecosystem in Southwest Atlantic is shallower than expected, study finds

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo determined for the first time the vertical limits of the subtropical ocean region off the South American coast. They found that the upper limit of the mesotrophic zone, previously assumed to be 30 meters below the surface, was in fact in much shallower waters.


Novel nanomaterial keeps more phosphorus available in soil than commercial fertilizer
SDG 2
Novel nanomaterial keeps more phosphorus available in soil than commercial fertilizer

The novel compound was developed in the lab but can be produced with technology already used by the industry, facilitating scale-up. It fixes phosphorus in the soil for future crop cycles and requires fewer applications. The researchers are seeking partners to mass-produce it for use in large-scale experiments.


Floods in Rio Grande do Sul reveal flaws in Brazil’s disaster risk management policy
SDG 13, SDG 16
Floods in Rio Grande do Sul reveal flaws in Brazil’s disaster risk management policy

State coordination will be essential to overcome the problems in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, as Acre’s experience with floods shows.


Urban agriculture as a creative response to the climate crisis
SDG 11, SDG 13
Urban agriculture as a creative response to the climate crisis

A study comparing solutions developed in São Paulo and Melbourne, Australia, highlights the huge potential for expansion in the Brazilian megacity.


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