Fapesp

FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

News

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

News

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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.


Biomaterial made of collagen and polysaccharide from red seaweed proves capable of stimulating bone regeneration
SDG 3
Biomaterial made of collagen and polysaccharide from red seaweed proves capable of stimulating bone regeneration

Researchers at the University of São Paulo conducted in vitro experiments with bone cells to confirm the properties of the novel biomaterial. Their findings suggest it can replace natural bone in grafting procedures to remedy defects or injuries.


Orion will be the world’s first maximum biosafety lab linked to a synchrotron light source
SDG 3, SDG 9
Orion will be the world’s first maximum biosafety lab linked to a synchrotron light source

Scheduled to start operating in 2028 at the Brazilian Center for Research on Energy and Materials (CNPEM) in Campinas (São Paulo state), the lab will enable researchers for the first time in Latin America to study viruses classified as class 4, the highest category of biological risk.


Study identifies protein that helps COVID-19 virus evade immune system
SDG 3
Study identifies protein that helps COVID-19 virus evade immune system

Discovery of a new viral evasion mechanism, and of a monoclonal antibody that subverts it, is an advance in immunotherapy offering the prospect of effective host-directed treatment to combat infections.


Scientists call for urgent action to tackle nutritional crisis devastating the Yanomami
SDG 2, SDG 3
Scientists call for urgent action to tackle nutritional crisis devastating the Yanomami

In an article published in Nature Medicine, a group at the State University of Campinas stresses that Yanomami children are suffering the most severe nutritional deficit of any Indigenous community in the Americas and warns of long-term consequences for health.


Researchers observe Mayaro and chikungunya viruses circulating at the same time in the Brazilian Amazon
SDG 3
Researchers observe Mayaro and chikungunya viruses circulating at the same time in the Brazilian Amazon

According to the authors of the study, infection by one virus was expected to afford protection against the other, preventing co-circulation. They warn of the risk of transmission of Mayaro in urban areas owing to deforestation and advocate more effective epidemiological surveillance.


Lung complications can worsen two years after hospitalization for severe COVID-19
SDG 3
Lung complications can worsen two years after hospitalization for severe COVID-19

A Brazilian study assessed 237 patients treated at the University of São Paulo’s general and teaching hospital. The researchers found that 92% still had lung damage two years after discharge, with fibrosis (33% of cases) arousing most concern.


New tuberculosis vaccine results presented at FAPESP Week China
SDG 3
New tuberculosis vaccine results presented at FAPESP Week China

Researchers from the Butantan Institute and collaborators reveal why recombinant BCG induces a stronger and longer-lasting response than the conventional vaccine.


Study reveals new factor associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 in people with obesity
SDG 3
Study reveals new factor associated with the risk of severe COVID-19 in people with obesity

By analyzing samples from obese non-diabetics, researchers from the State University of Campinas found that high blood levels of saturated fatty acids cause pre-activation of innate immune cells that, when infected with SARS-CoV-2, produce elevated levels of inflammatory molecules. Results were presented during FAPESP Week China.


São Paulo State University unveils factory dedicated to producing pilot batches of biopharmaceuticals for clinical research
SDG 3, SDG 9
São Paulo State University unveils factory dedicated to producing pilot batches of biopharmaceuticals for clinical research

Located in Botucatu, the plant will perform outsourced medical drug development and production services for pharmaceutical companies, biotechs and other research institutions, complying with best manufacturing practices.


Blood test can help predict risk of obstructive sleep apnea
SDG 3
Blood test can help predict risk of obstructive sleep apnea

In a study conducted by Brazilian researchers, blood levels of an amino acid called homocysteine correlated with the development of a disease that affects a third of the inhabitants of São Paulo city.


Novel photodynamic therapy method can eradicate ocular melanoma, study shows
SDG 3
Novel photodynamic therapy method can eradicate ocular melanoma, study shows

The study is the first to show that femtosecond pulsed laser irradiation is effective and safe in mice with induced ocular melanoma, paving the way for minimally invasive targeted treatment of the disease in future.


Scientists identify molecules associated with recurrence in blood samples from malaria patients
SDG 3
Scientists identify molecules associated with recurrence in blood samples from malaria patients

As described in Scientific Reports, the study involved analysis of blood samples from volunteers infected by Plasmodium vivax, which produces forms that lie dormant in the host and can be reactivated months after treatment. The findings will help detect and diagnose these forms, with significant potential to enhance control and treatment of the disease in future.


Mask developed at the University of São Paulo can prevent apnea patients from choking on air
SDG 3, SDG 9
Mask developed at the University of São Paulo can prevent apnea patients from choking on air

Innovation stems from a project on gas turbines conducted at the Engineering School and could make the use of CPAP more comfortable.


Brazilian scientists develop functional bread to help prevent asthma
SDG 3
Brazilian scientists develop functional bread to help prevent asthma

Bread produced with probiotic yeast performed well in experiments with mice, showing potential to combat asthma, which affects 20 million Brazilians.


Mindfulness alleviates stress and anxiety among nursing staff, study confirms
SDG 3, SDG 5
Mindfulness alleviates stress and anxiety among nursing staff, study confirms

A systematic review of 14 scientific articles on studies conducted in seven countries detected a statistically significant improvement in mental health after treatment with mindfulness.


Group investigates whether nanoparticles of industrial interest are safe for cells
SDG 3
Group investigates whether nanoparticles of industrial interest are safe for cells

In vitro tests show that some of the materials are toxic in high concentrations and can cause inflammatory processes.


Monitoring shows chikungunya epidemics can be predicted by means of surveillance
SDG 3
Monitoring shows chikungunya epidemics can be predicted by means of surveillance

A study conducted in a medium-sized city in São Paulo state (Brazil) found that chikungunya, which has caused major epidemics in several countries, can also circulate silently in a community, with few infections for years. The researchers produced a new profile of this arbovirus, underscoring the importance of disease surveillance to predict and prepare efficiently for epidemics.


Use of WhatsApp messages by public health service to treat depression in older people produces results, study shows
SDG 3
Use of WhatsApp messages by public health service to treat depression in older people produces results, study shows

With simple audio messages and images, the Viva Vida program produced significant improvements in over-sixties living in a major city in metropolitan São Paulo (Brazil). An article on the study is published in Nature Medicine.


Group tests novel therapeutic strategy to minimize progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
SDG 3
Group tests novel therapeutic strategy to minimize progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

The use of photobiomodulation and an antioxidant drug called idebenone strengthened the regenerative capacity of muscle fibers in an experimental model, a study conducted at the State University of Campinas shows.


Study could lead to the development of low-cost biocidal materials
SDG 3, SDG 9
Study could lead to the development of low-cost biocidal materials

Experiment with the semiconductor silver phosphate revealed an unprecedented mechanism for the formation of reactive oxygen species – toxic molecules that can cause the death of pathogens.


Virus that causes COVID-19 can remain in sperm for 110 days after infection
SDG 3
Virus that causes COVID-19 can remain in sperm for 110 days after infection

Researchers detected SARS-CoV-2 in male reproductive cells under the microscope even when PCR testing failed to detect the virus in semen. The discovery serves as a warning of possible implications for natural conception and particularly for assisted reproduction.


Researchers discover neural circuit involved in compulsive eating even without hunger
SDG 3
Researchers discover neural circuit involved in compulsive eating even without hunger

In a study involving mice, scientists used a technique that combines light stimulation and bioengineering to activate a cluster of nerve cells deep inside the brain. The discovery could pave the way to future treatment of eating disorders.


Scientists in Brazil and India collaborate on research to create promising treatment for solid tumors
SDG 3
Scientists in Brazil and India collaborate on research to create promising treatment for solid tumors

In tests involving animals, nanoparticles containing substances already approved for human use reduced inflammation in the biological microenvironment where malignant tumors flourish and facilitated the action of the immune system.


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