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

Study is investigating factors that influence the transmission of Chagas disease in Northeast Brazil
SDG 3
Study is investigating factors that influence the transmission of Chagas disease in Northeast Brazil

Brazilian and French researchers have studied specimens of the vector insect captured in Brazil that recorded an outbreak of the disease and have observed a high prevalence of infection by T. cruzi; two species of rodents were identified as potential reservoirs of the parasite


Researchers show how opportunistic bacterium defeats competitors
SDG 3
Researchers show how opportunistic bacterium defeats competitors

A study conducted in Brazil shows that Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a common drug-resistant pathogen in hospitals, kills rival bacteria with a cocktail of toxins. This discovery could lead to the development of new antibiotics.


An international research group is developing computer system for early detection of Alzheimer’s
SDG 3, SDG 9
An international research group is developing computer system for early detection of Alzheimer’s

In a lecture given at FAPESP Week France, Brazilian scientist Francisco Fraga da Silva spoke about developing a low-cost diagnostic alternative based on electroencephalography data.


Mechanism that triggers the inflammatory process during infection by Mayaro virus is discovered
SDG 3
Mechanism that triggers the inflammatory process during infection by Mayaro virus is discovered

A Brazilian team at FAPESP-supported Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases identified the strategy used by immune cells to combat the pathogen Mayaro virus, which causes symptoms similar to those of chikungunya fever. These results pave the way for the development of drugs.


New strategy for treating the most aggressive type of brain cancer is tested at USP
SDG 3
New strategy for treating the most aggressive type of brain cancer is tested at USP

Therapy used against grade four glioblastoma multiforme combines a photoactive molecule and a chemotherapeutic agent – both encapsulated in protein-lipid nanoparticles; work was presented by Antônio Claudio Tedesco during FAPESP Week France.


Study of intestinal bacteria of insects may reveal strategies for combatting them
SDG 3
Study of intestinal bacteria of insects may reveal strategies for combatting them

Intestinal microbiota of mosquito that transmits dengue and of bugs resistant to insecticides is the focus of studies developed at the Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 and presented at FAPESP Week France.


Discovery paves the way for blocking malaria transmission in Brazil
SDG 3
Discovery paves the way for blocking malaria transmission in Brazil

Research that will be presented today at FAPESP Week France suggests that bacteria present in the intestine of the Anhopheles darlingi mosquito influence the development of the parasite that causes the disease in the insect’s body and the chances of transmission to humans.


Serological test for more precise diagnosis of zika comes to market
SDG 3
Serological test for more precise diagnosis of zika comes to market

Product developed with FAPESP’s support has been licensed by Brazil’s public health surveillance agency after trials involving more than 3,000 women. The method can detect old infections, even in patients who have had dengue or yellow fever.


Serotonin inhibits sepsis-like severe systemic inflammation
SDG 3
Serotonin inhibits sepsis-like severe systemic inflammation

An experiment in rats performed in Brazil shows that this “wellbeing hormone” helps modulate the immune system, induces anti-inflammatory effects, and prevents complications such as a sharp drop in body temperature and blood pressure.


Brazilian startup creates a test to diagnose disease that affects cats and humans
SDG 3, SDG 9
Brazilian startup creates a test to diagnose disease that affects cats and humans

With support from FAPESP, BiDiagnostics plans to develop a methodology to detect the most prevalent and virulent species of the fungus that causes sporotrichosis. The number of notified cases in Brazil has increased 600% in the past five years.


Listening to music while driving reduces cardiac stress
SDG 3
Listening to music while driving reduces cardiac stress

A study by Brazilian researchers suggests that cardiac overload due to the stress of driving in heavy traffic can be attenuated by listening to instrumental music.


New molecule reduces the aggressiveness of pediatric cancer
SDG 3
New molecule reduces the aggressiveness of pediatric cancer

A microRNA inhibitor identified by researchers at the FAPESP-supported Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center reduced the sizes of aggressive tumors and improved survival in mice.


Study aims at boosting antitumoral activity of compound extracted from an Amazon plant
SDG 3
Study aims at boosting antitumoral activity of compound extracted from an Amazon plant

Researchers in Brazil altered the chemical structure of alkaloids from cat’s claw, aiming to obtain more potent compounds for the treatment of tumors and inflammations; scientists plan to develop a modified strain of U. guianensis and use its own metabolism to scale up the production of therapeutic compounds.


Cognitive training methodology can improve athletes’ performance
SDG 3, SDG 9
Cognitive training methodology can improve athletes’ performance

Systems that assess and train decision-making skills have been developed by a startup supported by FAPESP and tested on athletes belonging to top-tier Brazilian sports clubs. The researchers responsible say the technology can also be used in sectors such as healthcare.


Novel formulation of an injectable drug to treat joint inflammation acts for up to ten days
SDG 3
Novel formulation of an injectable drug to treat joint inflammation acts for up to ten days

Tests in rats showed enhanced efficacy of the drug as well as the absence of side effects, such as stomach bleeding. This innovation could be used to treat temporomandibular joint inflammation.


Patient’s own cells are used in innovative treatment for cancer
SDG 3
Patient’s own cells are used in innovative treatment for cancer

Patient with advanced refractory lymphoma was treated in Brazil by researchers at a center funded by FAPESP. The technique known as CAR T-cell therapy was used for first time ever in Latin America.


Material permits simultaneous, controlled release of drugs with different actions
SDG 3, SDG 9
Material permits simultaneous, controlled release of drugs with different actions

Researchers tested a material known as polyether siloxane, a flexible transparent hydrogel that can absorb large amounts of water without dissolving and is ideal for controlled-release drug delivery.


Protein could extend saphenous vein graft durability
SDG 3
Protein could extend saphenous vein graft durability

Scientists show that CRP3, normally produced in arteries, is expressed in saphenous vein grafts following coronary artery bypass surgery. The finding suggests that this molecule participates in adaptation to the increased blood flow and pressure resulting from arterialization.


The benefits of lithium in older people with Alzheimer’s disease are starting to be understood
SDG 3
The benefits of lithium in older people with Alzheimer’s disease are starting to be understood

Experiments using human brain cells and mice suggest that lithium delays cellular aging, one of the factors in neurodegenerative disorders.


New species of parasite is identified in fatal case of visceral leishmaniasis
SDG 3
New species of parasite is identified in fatal case of visceral leishmaniasis

Phylogenomic analysis shows that pathogen isolated in Brazilian hospital does not belong to the genus Leishmania. Researchers are investigating whether this species alone can cause severe disease or intensifies symptoms in co-infected patients.


Novel material with strong action against fungi and tumors
SDG 3, SDG 9
Novel material with strong action against fungi and tumors

Researchers at a Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center supported by FAPESP have created a composite with antifungal properties that are 32 times greater than those of silver by irradiating a metallic tungstate with electrons and femtosecond laser light.


Lipid produced by organism helps control blood sugar
SDG 3
Lipid produced by organism helps control blood sugar

Blood sugar levels in obese mice were controlled more efficiently when the mice were challenged with a glucose overload and treated with 12-HEPE, a lipid produced in response to cold by brown adipose tissue.


Novel compound interrupts malaria parasite’s lifecycle
SDG 3
Novel compound interrupts malaria parasite’s lifecycle

Compound inhibits key enzymes, interrupting the parasite’s lifecycle in human organisms and preventing transmission to vector insects. This discovery published in Science involved researchers funded by FAPESP.


Compounds extracted from Cerrado plant combat fungus that causes candidiasis
SDG 3
Compounds extracted from Cerrado plant combat fungus that causes candidiasis

Four substances isolated from Mimosa caesalpiniifolia were found to be more effective against thrush and candida than was fluconazole, the drug usually prescribed to treat the disease. Brazilian researchers are developing an ointment.


Acute chikungunya infection studied at the molecular level in Brazilian patients
SDG 3
Acute chikungunya infection studied at the molecular level in Brazilian patients

Using a systems biology approach, Brazilian researchers identified several genes that can be explored as therapeutic targets and as biomarkers of predisposition to chronic joint pain.


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