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FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Specialists discuss contact tracing as a tool to plan action against COVID-19
SDG 3, SDG 17
Specialists discuss contact tracing as a tool to plan action against COVID-19

Researchers from Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria and the US took part in a webinar organized by FAPESP to discuss privacy and data security and how people’s behavior shapes the pandemic


COVID-19 had already spread in Brazil when measures to contain it were implemented
SDG 3
COVID-19 had already spread in Brazil when measures to contain it were implemented

Study determined how the disease was transmitted using genomic data for SARS-CoV-2 obtained by sequencing almost 500 viral isolates from Brazilian patients and cross-referencing this with air travel data and deaths from the disease in the period.


Machine learning makes drug repurposing for psychiatric disorders more effective
SDG 3
Machine learning makes drug repurposing for psychiatric disorders more effective

Researchers have correlated information on drugs, genes and diseases to identify potential candidates for psychiatric and neurological treatment. The methodology they developed will be used to search for drugs against COVID-19.


Genetically similar fungi cause severe infections in different hospitals
SDG 3
Genetically similar fungi cause severe infections in different hospitals

Present in the human digestive tract, species of Candida can cause bloodstream infections in patients treated in intensive care units. An international study involving 16 hospitals found isolates with high levels of virulence.


Experts indicate avenues to combat pandemic in second-half 2020
SDG 3
Experts indicate avenues to combat pandemic in second-half 2020

The contagion curve in Brazil appears to have plateaued and is set to remain at the current level until at least the end of 2020. Investing in the identification and isolation of infected people and their close contacts, keeping schools closed and improving the quality of the information offered to the public are measures governments should take to make sure the situation does not become even worse.


Adipose tissue may be a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, Brazilian researchers suggest
SDG 3
Adipose tissue may be a reservoir for SARS-CoV-2, Brazilian researchers suggest

A study showed that the novel coronavirus can infect human adipocytes and that the viral load is three times higher in aged adipose cells. The results may help us understand why people with obesity and those who are older are more at risk of developing the severe form of COVID-19.


Over 50% of adults in the state of São Paulo have experienced anxiety frequently since the pandemic began
SDG 3
Over 50% of adults in the state of São Paulo have experienced anxiety frequently since the pandemic began

Online survey with 11,863 respondents also shows that feeling sad or depressed became routine for 39%, while overall health worsened for 26%.


Study identifies the factors that contributed to the initial spread of COVID-19
SDG 3
Study identifies the factors that contributed to the initial spread of COVID-19

Researchers used statistical techniques to analyze data of 126 countries. The variables that intensified contagion at the start of the outbreak included low temperature, a large proportion of older people, foreign tourist arrivals, and greeting habits involving physical contact.


Social isolation and face covering reduced SARS-CoV-2 spread by 15% in Brazil’s 1st epicenter of COVID-19
SDG 3
Social isolation and face covering reduced SARS-CoV-2 spread by 15% in Brazil’s 1st epicenter of COVID-19

The reduction resulting from implementation of these measures in São Paulo has been calculated for the period between mid-March and early May using a mathematical model developed by a FAPESP-funded research center. The scientists also estimated that these two public health measures reduced the peak of transmission by 25% in Brasília.


Game application monitors health of older people in social isolation owing to COVID-19 pandemic
SDG 3, SDG 9
Game application monitors health of older people in social isolation owing to COVID-19 pandemic

Program developed by startup with FAPESP’s support was initially designed to train cognitive skills and help improve physical fitness but will now have extended functionality.


Leukemia drug shows the potential to treat aggressive pediatric brain cancer
SDG 3
Leukemia drug shows the potential to treat aggressive pediatric brain cancer

When tested in vitro, arsenic trioxide killed tumor cells and prevented the formation of new colonies. This leukemia drug also boosted the effect of radiation therapy on medulloblastoma, a type of central nervous system tumor most common in children


Experimental drug reduces replication of zika and prevents microcephaly in mice
SDG 3
Experimental drug reduces replication of zika and prevents microcephaly in mice

The compound inhibited the action of a protein activated by the virus to suppress the host’s immune response. The therapy also proved effective against dengue virus and will be tested at the University of São Paulo against coronavirus.


Combining different vaccines could extend protection against COVID-19, scientists believe
SDG 3
Combining different vaccines could extend protection against COVID-19, scientists believe

Testing has begun in Brazilian volunteers of two candidate vaccines at an advanced stage of development. In an online seminar co-organized by Agência FAPESP, researchers involved in Phase 3 clinical trials said the more vaccines are approved, the better mankind’s chances of controlling COVID-19.


Brazilian COVID-19 patient data repository becomes fully operational
SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 17
Brazilian COVID-19 patient data repository becomes fully operational

Platform created by FAPESP in partnership with University of São Paulo, Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, Hospital Sírio-Libanês and Fleury Group begins providing access to data for more than 177,000 patients, 5 million clinical examinations and 9,600 outcomes.


Researchers have developed a system to detect respiratory failure by analyzing voice samples
SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 17
Researchers have developed a system to detect respiratory failure by analyzing voice samples

Project supported by FAPESP aims to help triage suspected COVID-19 patients.


Researchers discover hybrid fungus involved in lung infections
SDG 3
Researchers discover hybrid fungus involved in lung infections

This is the first time Aspergillus latus has been found in a hospital. The species is more drug-resistant than its two parents and highly dangerous for patients with respiratory diseases and compromised immune systems. The researchers will now investigate the role of fungi in COVID-19.


Brazilian researchers will test more than 500 substances against novel coronavirus
SDG 3
Brazilian researchers will test more than 500 substances against novel coronavirus

Assembled over a five-year period by the University of São Paulo’s Medicinal Chemistry Group, the material will be tested for treating infected cells. The goal of the research is to find a compound that inhibits the key enzyme in the replication of SARS-CoV-2 without affecting human cells.


System forecasts hospital demand for personal protective equipment
SDG 3
System forecasts hospital demand for personal protective equipment

The open-access tool was developed in Brazil by researchers at the Center for Mathematical Sciences Applied to Industry to minimize the risk of shortages and overspending.


São Paulo-based company develops fabric that eliminates novel coronavirus by contact
SDG 3, SDG 9
São Paulo-based company develops fabric that eliminates novel coronavirus by contact

In laboratory tests, the material inactivated 99.9% of SARS-CoV-2 in two minutes. The technology developed by the startup, which is supported by FAPESP, will be used to produce face masks and hospital apparel.


Study identifies proteins that may favor infection of placenta by novel coronavirus
SDG 3
Study identifies proteins that may favor infection of placenta by novel coronavirus

Based on placental cell gene expression data and computer simulations, Brazilian researchers concluded that the virus may use the placental proteins DPP4 and CTSL as an alternative point of entry into human cells.


Urban transmission of COVID-19 reproduces territorial inequities
SDG 3, SDG 10
Urban transmission of COVID-19 reproduces territorial inequities

The study will analyze how the disease affects different communities in Brazil and the US based on social and demographic characteristics related to drivers of environmental vulnerability.


Discovery of immune mechanism involved in COVID-19 paves way for novel therapy
SDG 3
Discovery of immune mechanism involved in COVID-19 paves way for novel therapy

Study conducted by the FAPESP-funded Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CRID) shows that drug currently used to treat cystic fibrosis can help prevent complications from infection by SARS-CoV-2.


Scientists create an online platform to offer Brazilian health workers guidance on the use of PPE
SDG 3, SDG 8
Scientists create an online platform to offer Brazilian health workers guidance on the use of PPE

The website developed by researchers at the University of São Paulo includes videos, illustrations, texts and posters with information on the right way to put on and take off masks, gloves, gowns and other items.


Researchers seek antiviral molecules for the treatment of COVID-19
SDG 3
Researchers seek antiviral molecules for the treatment of COVID-19

Synthetic compounds and molecules derived from natural products belonging to Brazil’s biodiversity are being screened by teams at the Center for Innovation in Biodiversity and Drug Discovery, which is supported by FAPESP.


Protein derived from tick saliva proves effective in the treatment of equine skin cancer
SDG 3
Protein derived from tick saliva proves effective in the treatment of equine skin cancer

Experiments were conducted by scientists affiliated with the Center of Excellence in New Target Discovery, a research center supported by FAPESP, involving five animals with spontaneous skin tumors.


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