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

Build-up of abdominal fat increases risk of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, study shows
SDG 3
Build-up of abdominal fat increases risk of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency, study shows

A collaborative study by Brazilian and British researchers shows for the first time that obesity can cause a lack of vitamin D and not the other way around. The risk of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in subjects with abdominal obesity was 36% and 64% higher respectively than in those without.


Tropical forest regeneration offsets 26% of carbon emissions due to deforestation and degradation
SDG 13
Tropical forest regeneration offsets 26% of carbon emissions due to deforestation and degradation

A study published in Nature and led by scientists at Brazil’s National Space Research Institute (INPE) and Bristol University in the UK describes a novel methodology for calculating the carbon absorption capacity of recovering areas in the Amazon, Congo and Borneo, which contain the world’s largest tropical rainforests. Together these areas remove at least 107 million metric tons from the atmosphere every year.


Study proposes use of artificial intelligence to diagnose autism spectrum disorder
SDG 3
Study proposes use of artificial intelligence to diagnose autism spectrum disorder

Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging to train a machine learning algorithm to help diagnose autism. The study involved physicists, statisticians, physicians and neuroscientists from centers in Brazil, France and Germany.


Novel enzyme could boost sustainable production of aviation fuel
SDG 7, SDG 9
Novel enzyme could boost sustainable production of aviation fuel

A biocatalyst discovered by Brazilian researchers has the potential to increase renewable biofuel output by removing obstacles in technology and production processes, as well as enhancing the manufacturing of bioplastics and biopolymers.


Exercise is beneficial even in a polluted environment, study shows
SDG 3
Exercise is beneficial even in a polluted environment, study shows

Researchers at the University of São Paulo analyzed inflammatory markers in cyclists who trained regularly and had been exposed to traffic-related pollution. The results of the experiment, which was conducted in São Paulo city, are published in the American Journal of Physiology.


Cross-border consortium investigates long-term effects of pandemic on children and young adults
SDG 3
Cross-border consortium investigates long-term effects of pandemic on children and young adults

The aim of the study is to understand the strategies used by children and young people in low-income households to adapt to the public health crisis and economic hardship in the UK, South Africa and Brazil.


Novel socio-environmental vulnerability index pinpoints sustainability issues in Brazilian river basins
SDG 11, SDG 13
Novel socio-environmental vulnerability index pinpoints sustainability issues in Brazilian river basins

The innovative approach highlights vulnerability to deforestation, fire and drought, as well as poverty. The results can help formulate public policies for sustainable development.


Co-infection by novel species of parasite is confirmed in visceral leishmaniasis patient
SDG 3
Co-infection by novel species of parasite is confirmed in visceral leishmaniasis patient

Genome sequencing of clinical samples from a child hospitalized in Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe state (Brazil), revealed the simultaneous presence of the protozoan Leishmania infantum and an as-yet unnamed parasite belonging to the genus Crithidia, identified earlier in a fatal case of visceral leishmaniasis in the same region.


Rare long-distance dispersal events help maintain genetic structure of mangroves
SDG 13, SDG 14
Rare long-distance dispersal events help maintain genetic structure of mangroves

A study combining genetic analysis and oceanographic simulations showed that a species of mangrove rarely disperses very far, so that North and South Brazil have two distinct populations. The results can help prioritize conservation units and understand global patterns in mangrove forest formation.


Innovation to treat skin cancer will be used by Brazil’s public health clinics
SDG 3, SDG 9
Innovation to treat skin cancer will be used by Brazil’s public health clinics

Photodynamic therapy developed by the Center for Research in Optics and Photonics, which is supported by FAPESP, has been recommended by Brazil’s federal body responsible for including novel healthcare technologies in the national health service.


Three out of every ten meals ordered from the main food delivery app in Brazil come from dark kitchens
SDG 3, SDG 12
Three out of every ten meals ordered from the main food delivery app in Brazil come from dark kitchens

The first-ever study of dark kitchens conducted in Brazil collected data on 22,520 establishments located in three cities in São Paulo state and listed by iFood. An article on the study offers a profile of these delivery-only restaurants, which proliferated during the pandemic.


Amazon dark earth boosts tree growth as much as sixfold
SDG 13
Amazon dark earth boosts tree growth as much as sixfold

Brazilian scientists analyzed the typical soil composition resulting from native management with the aim of developing biotech applications for more effective restoration of degraded areas.


Substitution of tolerant for sensitive species balances ecosystems in agricultural areas, study says
SDG 2, SDG 13
Substitution of tolerant for sensitive species balances ecosystems in agricultural areas, study says

Research conducted in manipulated sugarcane plots showed that small water bodies such as ponds and puddles can contribute to sustainable farming even with environmentally hostile practices.


Researchers explore strategies to convert CO2 into value-added products for industry
SDG 9, SDG 13
Researchers explore strategies to convert CO2 into value-added products for industry

One of the goals of the study conducted by scientists at the Center for Development of Functional Materials and the Center for Innovation on New Energies is to reduce atmospheric emissions of this greenhouse gas.


Degradation caused by human activities affects 38% of Amazon, study shows
SDG 13, SDG 15
Degradation caused by human activities affects 38% of Amazon, study shows

An article in Science by 35 researchers affiliated with institutions in Brazil and elsewhere shows that carbon emissions resulting from forest degradation are equivalent to emissions from deforestation. The authors analyzed degradation due to fire, edge effects, illegal logging and extreme drought.


Research with Brazilian participation is first to create models of bovine embryos
SDG 3, SDG 9
Research with Brazilian participation is first to create models of bovine embryos

The results pave the way for breeding of cattle with selected traits. Preliminary work findings for human embryo models recently published by international groups could contribute to the understanding of congenital defects and early pregnancy loss.


Visiting Swiss delegation advocates new partnerships with FAPESP
SDG 17
Visiting Swiss delegation advocates new partnerships with FAPESP

Similar programs and FAPESP’s pragmatism arouse interest in intensifying collaboration and joint calls for proposals involving research centers in Switzerland and São Paulo.


Researchers advance understanding of metabolic processes in fungi essential to 2G ethanol production
SDG 7
Researchers advance understanding of metabolic processes in fungi essential to 2G ethanol production

Scientists at Brazilian Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) investigated enzymes produced by two species of fungus used to break down sugarcane bagasse for production of second-generation ethanol. The goal of the project is to increase the efficiency of this process, which currently depends on imported feedstocks.


Compound reduced inflammation in COVID-19-infected mice without compromising immune response to virus
SDG 3
Compound reduced inflammation in COVID-19-infected mice without compromising immune response to virus

A team affiliated with a FAPESP-supported research center showed in mice that molecules capable of preventing the peptide C5a from binding to its cellular receptor helped prevent lung damage and other complications typical of severe COVID-19.


Consumption of soluble dietary fiber favors renewal of intestinal epithelial cells, study shows
SDG 3
Consumption of soluble dietary fiber favors renewal of intestinal epithelial cells, study shows

In experiments conducted at the State University of Campinas (Brazil), intestinal epithelial stem cells proliferated more in mice fed an inulin-rich diet than in mice given insoluble fiber. The study also showed that the beneficial effects depended on interaction with gut microbiota.


Biofuels are crucial to the energy transition, but misinformation must be overcome
SDG 7, SDG 12, SDG 13
Biofuels are crucial to the energy transition, but misinformation must be overcome

The view was expressed by participants in a discussion on “Bioenergy’s major contribution to the energy transition” organized by the FAPESP Bioenergy Research Program.


Interstate collaboration advocates economic alternatives to deforestation in Brazilian Amazon
SDG 2, SDG 12, SDG 13
Interstate collaboration advocates economic alternatives to deforestation in Brazilian Amazon

Strategies for reconciling forest conservation and income generation for families living on Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Acre state are the focus of a project in which local scientists are collaborating with colleagues from the states of São Paulo and Pará. The project is part of the Amazon+10 Initiative.


SARS-CoV-2 infects liver, stimulating glucose production and contributing to severe form of COVID-19
SDG 3
SARS-CoV-2 infects liver, stimulating glucose production and contributing to severe form of COVID-19

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo and reported in PNAS explains hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients and shows how SARS-CoV-2 causes symptoms similar to those of diabetes.


Novel targets identified for treatment of schistosomiasis
SDG 3
Novel targets identified for treatment of schistosomiasis

Researchers at Butantan Institute in São Paulo, Brazil, discovered that survival of the parasitic worm that causes the disease depends on expression of a specific type of RNA. In animal trials, inhibition of the molecule interrupted the infection.


New theoretical model paves way for more efficient supercapacitors
SDG 9
New theoretical model paves way for more efficient supercapacitors

The new model is capable of providing a realistic analysis of the experimental data for a supercapacitor in which internal energy losses are considered.


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