Fapesp

FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

News

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

The gut microbiota compound that could become a drug for prevention and treatment of bronchiolitis
SDG 3
The gut microbiota compound that could become a drug for prevention and treatment of bronchiolitis

Experiments involving isolated and cultured cells as well as animals and babies suggest that short-chain fatty acid acetate produced in the gut can minimize the effects of infection by respiratory syncytial virus.


Light-based therapies achieve good results in rehabilitation of patients with post-COVID complications
SDG 3
Light-based therapies achieve good results in rehabilitation of patients with post-COVID complications

Devices that combine laser irradiation, ultrasound and suction help regenerate tissue and treat muscle, joint, skin, neurological and lung damage. Protocols created via business-university partnerships are being tested and can be applied by treatment centers across Brazil.


Peptide created by Brazilian group delays melanoma growth in animal trials
SDG 3
Peptide created by Brazilian group delays melanoma growth in animal trials

An article in Scientific Reports shows that experimental treatment with a protein-derived molecule reduced tumor growth and metastasis, increasing the survival of mice by 25%.


Non-lethal component of anthrax kills pain by acting directly on pain-sensing neurons
SDG 3
Non-lethal component of anthrax kills pain by acting directly on pain-sensing neurons

The discovery is reported by researchers at Harvard University and the University of São Paulo in Nature Neuroscience, and could serve as a basis for the development of treatments for different diseases.


Revealed mechanism underlying progression to severe COVID-19 in lungs; possible novel therapeutic targets
SDG 3
Revealed mechanism underlying progression to severe COVID-19 in lungs; possible novel therapeutic targets

Scientists at a consortium of Brazilian universities show how the enzyme storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2 damages the lungs and may cause lasting complications.


Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes premature aging of the immune system, study suggests
SDG 3
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes premature aging of the immune system, study suggests

Researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo’s Medical School compared immune cells from COPD patients, healthy young and old adults, and smokers. The finding helps explain why these patients respond poorly to vaccines and are more susceptible to infections.


Startup designs molecules for treatment of mental disorders, cancer and other diseases
SDG 3, SDG 9
Startup designs molecules for treatment of mental disorders, cancer and other diseases

The computational platform developed by the firm, with FAPESP’s support, is capable of screening billions of molecules.


Combination of weak muscles and abdominal obesity can be an early sign of functional decline in men
SDG 3
Combination of weak muscles and abdominal obesity can be an early sign of functional decline in men

This was the conclusion reached by a study conducted in Brazil that analyzed data for 3,875 elderly men and women collected over an eight-year period. An article on the study is published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.


An online tool for studying brain development created from the largest-ever patient MRI database
SDG 3
An online tool for studying brain development created from the largest-ever patient MRI database

Conducted by an international group that included Brazilian scientists, the project created charts that show how the brain grows rapidly in early life and shrinks as we age. The researchers hope the charts will one day be used in clinical practice.


Largest ever genomic study of schizophrenia identifies 120 genes associated with the disease
SDG 3
Largest ever genomic study of schizophrenia identifies 120 genes associated with the disease

An article published in Nature by a consortium of researchers from 45 countries, including Brazil, reports on a study that analyzed data for 300,000 people and could pave the way for the development of novel therapies.


Study shows how mitochondria regulate lifespan by activating the immune system
SDG 3
Study shows how mitochondria regulate lifespan by activating the immune system

Findings published by researchers at the University of São Paulo may point to novel therapeutic targets for aging-related disorders such as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.


Research reveals how gut microbiota imbalance can lead to Parkinson’s disease
SDG 3
Research reveals how gut microbiota imbalance can lead to Parkinson’s disease

Experiments conducted in Brazil suggest that molecules secreted by the bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila, more abundant in Parkinson’s, promote aggregation of the protein alpha-synuclein in intestinal cells. Clumps of the protein, which are known to be associated with development of the disease, may migrate from the gut to the brain.


Company based in São Paulo develops self-test that detects all variants of SARS-CoV-2
SDG 3, SDG 9
Company based in São Paulo develops self-test that detects all variants of SARS-CoV-2

The startup supported by FAPESP produces all of the inputs for the test and will supply them to partner companies that will assemble kits and distribute them to retailers.


Chiral gold nanoparticles increase vaccine efficacy by more than 25%, study suggests
SDG 3
Chiral gold nanoparticles increase vaccine efficacy by more than 25%, study suggests

The material is not an active ingredient but an adjuvant, and was successfully tested on an influenza virus in research conducted by an international team of scientists with Brazilian participation and reported in an article in Nature.


Study proves that domestic dogs play a key role in maintaining transmission of visceral leishmaniasis
SDG 3
Study proves that domestic dogs play a key role in maintaining transmission of visceral leishmaniasis

In an article published in the journal PLOS ONE, Brazilian scientists show that the number of domestic dogs in an area influences the risk of transmission of the disease and that areas in which cases occur remain high-risk areas.


Researchers test novel strategy to accelerate drug development
SDG 3
Researchers test novel strategy to accelerate drug development

By combining acoustic levitation and X-ray diffraction with synchrotron light, the researchers were able to analyze the interactions of a drug’s atoms in real time and improve its formulation.


Risk of obesity is 45% higher among adolescents whose diet is based on ultra-processed food products
SDG 3
Risk of obesity is 45% higher among adolescents whose diet is based on ultra-processed food products

The finding by Brazilian researchers was based on data for 3,587 adolescents who took part in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Another finding of concern is a 63% higher risk of visceral obesity, which correlates closely with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.


Metabolic syndrome impairs pulmonary function and immune response in over-sixties, study shows
SDG 3
Metabolic syndrome impairs pulmonary function and immune response in over-sixties, study shows

Results published in Scientific Reports by a research group at the Federal University of São Paulo help scientists understand why patients with metabolic syndrome are among those worst affected by COVID-19.


Bioactive compounds in orange juice help control blood sugar, study suggests
SDG 3
Bioactive compounds in orange juice help control blood sugar, study suggests

This was the main finding of a study by scientists affiliated with a FAPESP-supported research center. The effect may be associated with a mechanism whereby the fruit increases expression of an insulin-related microRNA.


Evidence abounds for capacity of physical activity to combat complications from COVID-19, scientist says
SDG 3
Evidence abounds for capacity of physical activity to combat complications from COVID-19, scientist says

In an editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Bruno Gualano, a professor at the University of São Paulo (Brazil), reviews what scientists know about the relationship between regular exercise and the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.


Structures involved in communication among pathogenic fungi could be targets for novel treatments
SDG 3
Structures involved in communication among pathogenic fungi could be targets for novel treatments

A study shows how extracellular vesicles share information among cells in the same species, enabling the colony to respond in a coordinated manner to the host organism’s defenses.


Discovery could contribute to diagnosis and treatment of skin disease caused by false fungus
SDG 3
Discovery could contribute to diagnosis and treatment of skin disease caused by false fungus

Pythiosis affects humans, horses and other animals, often requiring surgery and even amputation. A study conducted at São Paulo State University has discovered seven potential antigens that can serve as a basis for tests and vaccines.


Stroke patients face higher risk of heart attack, study suggests
SDG 3
Stroke patients face higher risk of heart attack, study suggests

A study by researchers at the University of São Paulo advocates closer monitoring of these patients and prescribing more powerful drugs to combat atherosclerosis.


A model that mimics malformation associated with severe epilepsy paves way to novel therapies
SDG 3
A model that mimics malformation associated with severe epilepsy paves way to novel therapies

Scientists at a FAPESP-funded research center reprogrammed skin cells from patients with epilepsy to differentiate into cortical organoids with hallmarks of the malformation known as focal cortical dysplasia.


Whole-genome database will help refine diagnosis of genetic diseases in Brazil
SDG 3
Whole-genome database will help refine diagnosis of genetic diseases in Brazil

Whole-genome sequences of 1,171 elderly people living in São Paulo City were analyzed to detect mutations responsible for disease or that play a key role in healthy aging.


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