Fapesp

FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

News

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

News

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of losing muscle strength by 78%
SDG 3
Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of losing muscle strength by 78%

Researchers in Brazil and the UK analyzed data for more than 3,000 people aged 50 or more to prove the importance of vitamin D to muscles.


Effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy are poorly understood, scientists note
SDG 3
Effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy are poorly understood, scientists note

Brazilian researchers advocate trials using mini-brains grown in the lab to investigate the impact of these drugs on fetal neurodevelopment.


Infection of visceral fat cells may contribute to severe COVID-19, study suggests
SDG 3
Infection of visceral fat cells may contribute to severe COVID-19, study suggests

Brazilian researchers infected fat cells from subcutaneous and visceral tissue with SARS-CoV-2. Fat cells from organs in the abdominal cavity had a higher viral load and produced more pro-inflammatory molecules after contact with the virus.


Study links genetic variant to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas disease
SDG 3
Study links genetic variant to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas disease

An article on the study is published in Biomedicines. The findings offer an avenue for the development of novel therapies for Chagas megaesophagus.


Chi Van Dang of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research: ‘I think we can envision a cancer-free future’
SDG 3
Chi Van Dang of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research: ‘I think we can envision a cancer-free future’

On a visit to Brazil, the scientific director for LICR and one of the most cited researchers in the field of oncology spoke about advances in cancer treatment and the development of tools that in his view enable physicians to detect tumors very early on.


Study conducted at hospital in São Paulo state detects measles antibodies in only 75% of under-fifteens
SDG 3
Study conducted at hospital in São Paulo state detects measles antibodies in only 75% of under-fifteens

A total of 252 children living in a city in northwestern São Paulo took part in the study, in which blood samples from hospitalized children were analyzed. The percentage with measles antibodies was less than the 94% target considered ideal to prevent outbreaks.


Novel device detects COVID-19 antibodies in five minutes
SDG 3, SDG 9
Novel device detects COVID-19 antibodies in five minutes

Brazilian scientists have developed a biosensor using zinc oxide combined for the first time with an electron-conducting glass substrate and the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The results outperformed ELISA, the current gold standard for diagnosing infectious diseases.


Post-pandemic outbreak of drug-resistant fungus in Brazil owing to abuse of medications and full up ICUs
SDG 3
Post-pandemic outbreak of drug-resistant fungus in Brazil owing to abuse of medications and full up ICUs

The worst-ever outbreak of fungal disease caused by the same strain of Candida parapsilosis in severe COVID-19 patients was reported in a hospital in Salvador. Novel drug-resistant strains of Candida will emerge in Brazil, the authors predict.


Public network should integrate data nationwide for use by researchers to improve health in Brazil
SDG 3, SDG 9
Public network should integrate data nationwide for use by researchers to improve health in Brazil

The importance of organizing and assuring access to the government’s healthcare data via the SUS was highlighted in a presentation by Ester Sabino, a professor at the University of São Paulo, to a webinar hosted by the São Paulo State Academy of Sciences. Data integration and access would benefit researchers and the Health Ministry, and help to direct investment in the sector.


Scientists discover new mechanism associated with severe COVID-19
SDG 3
Scientists discover new mechanism associated with severe COVID-19

A study conducted at the University of São Paulo shows that flaws in the metabolization of ATP, one of the main sources of cellular energy, can lead to dysregulation of the immune system and a dangerously exacerbated inflammatory response to infection by the novel coronavirus.


Artificial intelligence helps detect gait alterations and diagnose Parkinson’s disease
SDG 3
Artificial intelligence helps detect gait alterations and diagnose Parkinson’s disease

Researchers at São Paulo State University tested machine learning techniques to estimate parameters such as step length, width and velocity. The method makes clinical diagnosis more precise and can determine the stage reached in progression of the disease.


Study of proteins secreted by tumor cells points to new ways of combating cancer
SDG 3
Study of proteins secreted by tumor cells points to new ways of combating cancer

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo set out to discover why proteins that should be found in cell nuclei ended up in cytoplasm or elsewhere in certain situations. This unexpected phenomenon may indicate a relevant pattern for diagnostic and treatment purposes.


New studies enrich knowledge of genetic factors that naturally protect people against COVID-19
SDG 3
New studies enrich knowledge of genetic factors that naturally protect people against COVID-19

A team at a FAPESP-supported research center investigated over-90s who were resilient to SARS-CoV-2 and identical twins who had severe COVID-19 with different outcomes, including long COVID. The findings are expected to contribute to the development of vaccines and treatments for this and other viral diseases.


Study confirms postural control medication efficacy period for Parkinson’s disease patients
SDG 3
Study confirms postural control medication efficacy period for Parkinson’s disease patients

Researchers at São Paulo State University described in detail the positive effects of levodopa on posture and balance, in a study aimed at optimizing treatment. The findings are reported in Brain Research.


SARS-CoV-2 alters RNA in infected cells, study reveals
SDG 3
SARS-CoV-2 alters RNA in infected cells, study reveals

An article by researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo describes how the functioning of RNA changes in cells infected by the COVID-19 virus. The findings provide clues as to how different variants can escape the immune system, and serve as a basis for the development of novel treatments.


Increase in fish consumption can benefit the health of the population and the economy
SDG 2, SDG 3
Increase in fish consumption can benefit the health of the population and the economy

In partnership with private enterprise and government, scientists in São Paulo state (Brazil) plan to strengthen domestic production and consumption of aquatic products.


Exercise hormone protects kidneys from damage caused by diabetes
SDG 3
Exercise hormone protects kidneys from damage caused by diabetes

Researchers at the State University of Campinas conducted experiments on rats and human kidney cells. Their findings, published in Scientific Reports, show that irisin, a hormone secreted in muscle tissue during exercise, avoids the cellular degeneration that leads to diabetic nephropathy and kidney failure.


Study clarifies how physical exercise burns muscle fat
SDG 3
Study clarifies how physical exercise burns muscle fat

Through experiments involving mice, Brazilian researchers discovered that a molecule released by the brain during exercise breaks down fatty acids in skeletal muscle tissue and continues to do so after the exercise has ceased.


Cancer therapy shows potential to treat severe COVID-19 in pre-clinical trials
SDG 3
Cancer therapy shows potential to treat severe COVID-19 in pre-clinical trials

A type of treatment known as immune checkpoint blockade proved beneficial in cells from COVID-19 patients in intensive care and in mice infected by a betacoronavirus similar to SARS-CoV-2. The study is published in Science Advances.


Partnership between FAPESP and NWO will fund research projects on advanced healthcare materials
SDG 3, SDG 17
Partnership between FAPESP and NWO will fund research projects on advanced healthcare materials

At a meeting held in São Paulo city, researchers from the Brazilian state of São Paulo and the Netherlands described their work on the development of prosthetics and other implantable biomaterials. FAPESP will invest BRL 15.2 million to fund the projects selected in the call.


In pre-clinical trials, drug shows potential to combat exaggerated inflammation associated with COVID-19
SDG 3
In pre-clinical trials, drug shows potential to combat exaggerated inflammation associated with COVID-19

Researchers at the University of São Paulo tested the anthelmintic niclosamide on mice and human blood cells. In addition to exhibiting antiviral action, the drug deactivated the cellular mechanism that triggers a cytokine storm. A novel formulation is required for the active principle to reach the lungs and treat severe COVID-19 in humans.


Study proposes new parameters for diagnosis of sarcopenia
SDG 3
Study proposes new parameters for diagnosis of sarcopenia

Measuring handgrip strength is one of the main ways of detecting sarcopenia, a syndrome characterized by loss of muscle mass, force and function. Researchers in Brazil and the UK recommended raising the minimum value considered normal, after analyzing data for more than 6,000 men and women aged 60 and over.


Study maps alterations that make melanoma more severe, could lead to better therapies and diagnosis
SDG 3
Study maps alterations that make melanoma more severe, could lead to better therapies and diagnosis

Analysis of skin tumor samples showed correlations between changes in proteins that regulate the organism and prognosis. The results, published in Nature Communications, were obtained by researchers in Brazil and France.


COVID-19 vaccine developed by Brazilian scientists is ready for clinical trials
SDG 3
COVID-19 vaccine developed by Brazilian scientists is ready for clinical trials

The results of animal trials were published recently in Nature Communications. The researchers have received the green light from the national health surveillance authority to proceed with testing on humans.


Airborne microplastic can favor spread of COVID-19, study suggests
SDG 3
Airborne microplastic can favor spread of COVID-19, study suggests

Researchers at the University of São Paulo analyzed air samples collected near the hospital complex run by its medical school and found that the more plastic they contained, the higher the viral load. The results of the study suggest SARS-CoV-2 binds to microplastic and more easily enters the upper airways and lungs.


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