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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

A method that facilitates the discovery of biomarkers for psychiatric and immune-related diseases
SDG 3
A method that facilitates the discovery of biomarkers for psychiatric and immune-related diseases

Brazilian researchers show that proteins associated with diseases and key biological processes can be found in the blood plasma fraction usually discarded in proteomic analysis.


Antioxidant reverses damage to fertility caused by exposure to bisphenol A
SDG 3
Antioxidant reverses damage to fertility caused by exposure to bisphenol A

A study shows that administering coenzyme Q10 reverses damage done to germinative cells by BPA, a contaminant found in many kinds of plastic.


Antibodies to treat COVID-19 will be developed in laboratory
SDG 3
Antibodies to treat COVID-19 will be developed in laboratory

To develop a drug capable of treating the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, a research institution in São Paulo will deploy a platform used to produce monoclonal antibodies against tetanus and zika.


Study identifies potential target for treatment of COVID-19
SDG 3
Study identifies potential target for treatment of COVID-19

Brazilian researchers show that the activity of the gene TRIB3 in lung cells declines in men as they age. Compounds capable of reversing the process could be tested against the novel coronavirus.


FAPESP selects 30 projects in call for research proposals to combat novel coronavirus
SDG 3
FAPESP selects 30 projects in call for research proposals to combat novel coronavirus

Selected projects aim to repurpose existing drugs for treatment of COVID-19, find novel compounds with therapeutic potential and develop alternative diagnostic methods. The call remains open until June 22.


Startups develop system that detects fever remotely in people approaching hospital front desks
SDG 3
Startups develop system that detects fever remotely in people approaching hospital front desks

AI-based technology developed by a São Paulo startup supported by FAPESP is in use at Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission


Technology optimizes use of mechanical ventilation and ICU beds
SDG 3, SDG 9
Technology optimizes use of mechanical ventilation and ICU beds

Electrical impedance tomography system developed by startup based in São Paulo minimizes complications associated with mechanical ventilation and is used in the treatment of COVID-19 by hospitals in Italy, Spain and the US.


Brazilian researchers test treatment with antibodies from patients who have recovered from COVID-19
SDG 3
Brazilian researchers test treatment with antibodies from patients who have recovered from COVID-19

Scientists affiliated with the FAPESP-funded Center for Cell-Based Therapy have collected plasma from donors and are conducting a trial to check the safety and effectiveness of passive immunization.


Researchers join forces to combat coronavirus
SDG 3, SDG 17
Researchers join forces to combat coronavirus

Researchers at the University of Campinas are organizing professionals, supplies and equipment to test for COVID-19, understand how the virus works, identify existing drugs that are effective against the disease, and use 3D printing to produce parts for ventilators and personal protective equipment.


Startup supported by FAPESP will supply mechanical ventilators to Brazil’s Health Ministry
SDG 3, SDG 9
Startup supported by FAPESP will supply mechanical ventilators to Brazil’s Health Ministry

Based in São Paulo, Magnamed will produce 6,500 ventilators by August for use in treating COVID-19 patients, working in partnership with a pool of leading Brazilian and multinational corporations.


Sensor detects biomarker of early-stage multiple sclerosis
SDG 3
Sensor detects biomarker of early-stage multiple sclerosis

Diagnostic strategy developed by Brazilian researchers can also be used to distinguish MS from neuromyelitis optica, another demyelinating disorder. The two diseases have similar symptoms but must be treated differently.


Results of COVID-19 autopsies offer help with treatment of severe cases
SDG 3
Results of COVID-19 autopsies offer help with treatment of severe cases

Brazilian researchers use minimally invasive technique to perform autopsies on deceased patients diagnosed with COVID-19, with the aim of assisting physicians and other health workers.


Housing deficit makes “vertical isolation” impossible, Brazilian researchers say
SDG 3, SDG 10
Housing deficit makes “vertical isolation” impossible, Brazilian researchers say

Research by the FAPESP-funded Center for Metropolitan Studies (CEM) shows that it is not feasible to separate high-risk groups in low-income communities, where the majority of the Brazilian population live. The problem is especially acute in the Southeast region, with metropolitan São Paulo displaying the largest deficit.


Patients with chronic diseases display increased expression of gene that facilitates SARS-CoV-2 infection
SDG 3
Patients with chronic diseases display increased expression of gene that facilitates SARS-CoV-2 infection

Metabolic changes associated with diseases such as pulmonary hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may reprogram gene expression to increase production of a protein used by SARS-CoV-2 to penetrate lung cells.


Physical exercise protects low-birth-weight children from cardiovascular disease in adulthood
SDG 3
Physical exercise protects low-birth-weight children from cardiovascular disease in adulthood

Groundbreaking study shows that regular exercise in prepubertal childhood improves the functioning of cells essential to vascular health. Babies weighing less than 2.5 kg at birth are more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases in adulthood.


Two novel viruses identified in Brazilian patients with suspected dengue
SDG 3
Two novel viruses identified in Brazilian patients with suspected dengue

Species never before found in humans described in PLOS ONE belong to the genera Ambidensovirus and Chapparvovirus. Researchers do not yet know if they can cause disease.


Brazilian researchers test potential drugs against novel coronavirus
SDG 3
Brazilian researchers test potential drugs against novel coronavirus

Scientists at Brazil’s National Energy and Materials Research Center are analyzing the antiviral action of commercially available drugs in cultured cells.


New coronavirus is produced in Brazilian laboratory
SDG 3
New coronavirus is produced in Brazilian laboratory

Researchers explains how their experience with the Zika virus, made possible with funding from FAPESP, helped them to cultured the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.


Researchers seek test capable of predicting whether COVID-19 patients may develop severe complications
SDG 3
Researchers seek test capable of predicting whether COVID-19 patients may develop severe complications

Scientists in the state of São Paulo are working on a method of diagnosing the disease quickly and cheaply by combining an analysis of the pattern of molecules in body fluids with machine learning.


One-third of younger age groups in northwestern São Paulo lack antibodies against measles, research says
SDG 3
One-third of younger age groups in northwestern São Paulo lack antibodies against measles, research says

A population study conducted at a regional center of the state of São Paulo (Brazil) showed that 32.9% of subjects under 40 had no immunity against the disease, compared with only 1% in those over 50.


Novel blood test points to risk of weight gain and diabetes
SDG 3
Novel blood test points to risk of weight gain and diabetes

The blood test method makes use of machine learning and can be used to predict whether patients will put on weight, unless they change their habits. The project was conducted in Brazil with funding from FAPESP.


This study shows how a lack of oxygen during pregnancy can cause schizophrenia
SDG 3
This study shows how a lack of oxygen during pregnancy can cause schizophrenia

Experiments with rats indicate that brain cells submitted to several forms of hypoxia underwent alterations to their energy production mechanism. Such condition may affect the fetus in pregnant women who have developed pre-eclampsia, a high blood pressure disorder.


Study can help enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy
SDG 3, SDG 9
Study can help enhance the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy

A discovery by scientists affiliated with a research center supported by FAPESP could contribute to the development of more powerful photosensitizers. When these molecules are exposed to light, they trigger biochemical processes that lead to the disruption of the cell membranes of tumors or pathogens.


Saliva can be used to predict excess body fat in teenagers
SDG 3
Saliva can be used to predict excess body fat in teenagers

Brazilian researchers found the level of uric acid in saliva to be a good indicator of body fat percentage. Study was designed to identify reliable biomarkers that can be used to develop quick noninvasive tests for early detection of chronic diseases.


International collaboration set to facilitate the measurement of results in psychotherapy
SDG 3, SDG 17
International collaboration set to facilitate the measurement of results in psychotherapy

This topic was discussed by specialists from several countries at the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Mental Health and Evidence-Based Interventions, an event held with the support of FAPESP.


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