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 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.


Multidrug-resistant bacteria are found outside the hospital environment
SDG 3
Multidrug-resistant bacteria are found outside the hospital environment

Genetic profiles of microorganisms isolated from patients with urinary tract infection display a high degree of resistance and virulence. The superbug KPC was found in samples.


New mechanisms that regulate pluripotency in embryonic stem cells are discovered
SDG 3
New mechanisms that regulate pluripotency in embryonic stem cells are discovered

A study by researchers at the Center for Cell-Based Therapy, which is supported by FAPESP, identified microRNAs involved in pluripotency maintenance and cell differentiation. The discovery paves the way to the development of drugs capable of making ESCs regress to the earliest stage of development.


Medication for menstrual pain relief proves effective against schistosomiasis
SDG 3
Medication for menstrual pain relief proves effective against schistosomiasis

In a study supported by FAPESP, experiments with mice showed the anti-inflammatory drug mefenamic acid to be more efficacious than praziquantel, the only drug available to combat the disease.


Sterilization of central venous catheters with atmospheric plasma
SDG 3, SDG 9
Sterilization of central venous catheters with atmospheric plasma

Study conducted to test a procedure based on ionization of atmospheric air eliminates 99% of Candida albicans fungus that causes hospital-acquired infections, without generating toxic waste.


New satellite sensor will help gauge the influence of atmospheric aerosols on cloud formation
SDG 3, SDG 13
New satellite sensor will help gauge the influence of atmospheric aerosols on cloud formation

Vanderlei Martins, a professor at the University of Maryland and former FAPESP grantee, is responsible for the device, developed in partnership with NASA. Martins spoke about the project to the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Atmospheric Aerosols, which was funded by FAPESP.


Excessive coffee consumption increases the likelihood of hypertension in genetically predisposed people
SDG 3
Excessive coffee consumption increases the likelihood of hypertension in genetically predisposed people

Brazilian researchers observed the association only in subjects who consumed more than three small cups of coffee per day. Moderate consumption, however, appears to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.


The risk of death from yellow fever can be detected sooner
SDG 3
The risk of death from yellow fever can be detected sooner

A FAPESP-funded study with results published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases has identified markers capable of predicting mortality in patients with symptoms of yellow fever, potentially helping to prevent the development of severe conditions.


Study evaluates effects of noninvasive neuromodulation used to treat obesity
SDG 3
Study evaluates effects of noninvasive neuromodulation used to treat obesity

The results of a clinical trial published in the journal Appetite show that transcranial direct current stimulation can reduce or increase appetite, depending on the patient’s genetic profile.


Thyme essential oil in corn starch particles combats <i>Aedes aegypti</i> larvae
SDG 3, SDG 9
Thyme essential oil in corn starch particles combats <i>Aedes aegypti</i> larvae

A system created in Brazil using cheap, biodegradable materials permits controlled release of larvicide and can be used in small amounts of water.


Biomarkers confirm a higher incidence of thyroid cancer among World Trade Center responders
SDG 3
Biomarkers confirm a higher incidence of thyroid cancer among World Trade Center responders

Method developed by Brazilian and US researchers distinguishes between malignant and benign tumors and rules out false positive results.


Cannabidiol reduces aggressiveness, study concludes
SDG 3
Cannabidiol reduces aggressiveness, study concludes

Experiments with mice performed within the scope of a FAPESP-funded study show that a substance derived from cannabis plants attenuates isolation-induced aggressive behavior.


Low muscle mass in the arms and legs can heighten the mortality risk in older men and women
SDG 3
Low muscle mass in the arms and legs can heighten the mortality risk in older men and women

A study of individuals over 65 years old showed that all-cause mortality risk increased nearly 63-fold in women with low appendicular muscle mass. The risk of dying increased 11.4-fold in men.


Biosensor uses molecule derived from bee venom to detect bacteria in food and drink
SDG 3, SDG 9
Biosensor uses molecule derived from bee venom to detect bacteria in food and drink

Developed by Brazilian researchers, the biosensor identifies the presence of different pathogens more quickly and cheaply than standard methods.


Sensor monitors blood oxygen level during sleep
SDG 3
Sensor monitors blood oxygen level during sleep

Data recorded via smartphone are stored in the cloud to help diagnose sleep apnea.


Adolescents who skip breakfast may develop obesity
SDG 3
Adolescents who skip breakfast may develop obesity

A FAPESP-funded study investigated behaviors associated with weight gain and cardiometabolic risk in adolescents. Missing the first meal of the day can contribute to the development of unhealthy habits and behaviors.


A key mechanism of silica-induced inflammation is discovered
SDG 3
A key mechanism of silica-induced inflammation is discovered

French researchers made the discovery by analyzing blood from denim sandblasters. The results were presented at the Inflamma symposium organized by the Center for Research on Inflammatory Diseases in Brazil.


Novel technology developed to classify most common brain cancer in children
SDG 3
Novel technology developed to classify most common brain cancer in children

Simplified low-cost method is as accurate as most advanced sequencers in analyzing medulloblastoma, enabling personalized treatment to be prescribed in developing countries.


Biocompound from Atlantic Rainforest combats leishmaniasis and Chagas disease
SDG 3
Biocompound from Atlantic Rainforest combats leishmaniasis and Chagas disease

Researchers find that substances synthesized from plant species endemic to the biodiversity hotspot can kill the parasites that cause these neglected diseases.


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