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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 reveals biomarkers that can be used to personalize treatment of head and neck cancer
SDG 3
Study reveals biomarkers that can be used to personalize treatment of head and neck cancer

Cetuximab is one of the few drugs approved for this type of cancer, but it is expensive and effective only for 40% of patients. An article in the journal Cells describes molecular alterations observed in tumor cells that indicate resistance to the drug, paving the way to the development of a predictive test.


Children of overprotective parents tend to live less, study suggests
SDG 3
Children of overprotective parents tend to live less, study suggests

Based on an analysis of data for nearly 1,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing born in the 1950s and 1960s, researchers concluded that children’s relationships with parents influence longevity, although the impact is different for men and women.


Study shows that COVID-19 virus can be detected in tears sampled by ocular swab
SDG 3
Study shows that COVID-19 virus can be detected in tears sampled by ocular swab

Researchers at the University of São Paulo detected SARS-CoV-2 on the ocular surface in 18.2% of samples taken from patients hospitalized with the disease. The findings point to an alternative to nasopharyngeal swabbing and highlight the need for health workers to protect themselves from infection by ocular fluids.


Repressive methods used in training women’s artistic gymnasts can be extremely harmful, study warns
SDG 3
Repressive methods used in training women’s artistic gymnasts can be extremely harmful, study warns

An article by researchers at the State University of Campinas in Sport, Education and Society investigates the dark side of Olympic fame. The lead author’s PhD research included interviews with former gymnasts in the Brazilian team.


Protein with anti-aging action combats inflammation and avoids death of neurons
SDG 3
Protein with anti-aging action combats inflammation and avoids death of neurons

Results of in vitro tests are described by researchers at the University of São Paulo in the journal Scientific Reports point to avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.


Identified mechanism involved in development and intensification of cancer treatment-related pain
SDG 3
Identified mechanism involved in development and intensification of cancer treatment-related pain

Scientists who analyzed the combined use of two drugs – paclitaxel and immune checkpoint inhibitors – made discoveries that could pave the way for future research to combat the pain caused by other diseases.


Leisure facilities are increasing in São Paulo City but are still mainly in high-income areas
SDG 3, SDG 10, SDG 11
Leisure facilities are increasing in São Paulo City but are still mainly in high-income areas

A study analyzed changes to the built environment to promote physical activity in Brazil’s largest city between 2015 and 2020, using data from online public libraries as well as the city and state governments.


Loss of muscle mass in acute stage of COVID-19 is associated with persistent symptoms, study shows
SDG 3
Loss of muscle mass in acute stage of COVID-19 is associated with persistent symptoms, study shows

In Brazil, researchers tracked 80 patients with moderate and severe forms of the disease for up to six months after they left hospital. Muscle impairment during hospitalization was also a predictor of higher healthcare costs in the ensuing months.


Study shows that bioprinted artificial skin can be used in cosmetics and drugs testing
SDG 3
Study shows that bioprinted artificial skin can be used in cosmetics and drugs testing

In experiments conducted by scientists at the University of São Paulo, the performance of a model obtained in a 3D printer was equivalent to that of the conventional model produced manually. The biomimetic material can be produced on a large scale, reducing animal testing by the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.


Brazilian researchers combine genetics and nutricosmetics to develop customizable hair care product line
SDG 3, SDG 9
Brazilian researchers combine genetics and nutricosmetics to develop customizable hair care product line

A company funded by FAPESP’s program to support innovation by small businesses is launching a dietary supplement for consumer hair care.


Researchers at the University of São Paulo create a low-cost sensor that detects heavy metals in sweat
SDG 3
Researchers at the University of São Paulo create a low-cost sensor that detects heavy metals in sweat

Flexible copper device identifies lead and cadmium in sweat and can be used by untrained personnel to monitor exposure to toxic materials.


Survey reveals physical and mental problems among health workers during pandemic
SDG 3
Survey reveals physical and mental problems among health workers during pandemic

Stress, burnout, pain and poor sleep were some of the most frequent symptoms reported by nursing and other staff who care for patients in a study conducted by researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos in São Paulo state, Brazil.


Study points to link between schizophrenia and vascular alterations in the brain
SDG 3
Study points to link between schizophrenia and vascular alterations in the brain

Brazilian researchers have discovered that central nervous system cells from patients with schizophrenia secrete substances that reduce the thickness of blood vessels in the brain, possibly leading to diminished metabolic flux in some parts of the CNS.


Toxins produced by Amazonian spider have potential for development of drugs and insecticides
SDG 2, SDG 3
Toxins produced by Amazonian spider have potential for development of drugs and insecticides

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo and Butantan Institute used several advanced techniques to analyze the venom of the Orange banded tarantula Acanthoscurria juruenicola and tested its capacity to paralyze crickets. The findings could contribute to the development of biodiversity-based solutions.


Study reveals mechanism involved in neuropathic pain and could help develop specific treatment
SDG 3
Study reveals mechanism involved in neuropathic pain and could help develop specific treatment

Neuropathic pain is chronic and caused by injury to the nervous system, affecting between 3% and 15% of the population. The only treatment options currently available are drugs originally developed for other conditions, such as epilepsy or depression.


Study proves that antivenom reduces risk of skin necrosis in patients bitten by brown recluse spider
SDG 3
Study proves that antivenom reduces risk of skin necrosis in patients bitten by brown recluse spider

The study involved 146 patients, 74 of whom were treated with an antivenom produced by Butantan Institute in São Paulo. The results showed the antivenom to be safe and effective, especially if it is administered within 48 hours.


Brazilian model vaccination program reduced severe cases of COVID-19 and deaths even from variants
SDG 3
Brazilian model vaccination program reduced severe cases of COVID-19 and deaths even from variants

The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 variant substitution in the town where a clinical trial of vaccination effectiveness was conducted matched the pattern seen elsewhere in the country, but most cases were mild. The researchers analyzed 4,375 whole genomes of the virus.


Anti-inflammatory drugs commonly taken by children can cause alterations to dental enamel, study shows
SDG 3
Anti-inflammatory drugs commonly taken by children can cause alterations to dental enamel, study shows

In experiments involving rats, researchers at the University of São Paulo analyzed the effects of celecoxib and indomethacin. The results are published in Scientific Reports.


Blood donation samples can be used to monitor progress of epidemics, study shows
SDG 3
Blood donation samples can be used to monitor progress of epidemics, study shows

A group of researchers in Brazil and the UK have developed a method to track seroprevalence in real time. An article in the journal eLife shows how this was done in the case of SARS-CoV-2, providing a “portrait” of the first year of COVID-19 in Brazil.


Telemedicine arrived in Brazil during the pandemic and came to stay, study shows
SDG 3
Telemedicine arrived in Brazil during the pandemic and came to stay, study shows

The findings of the study, which involved 1,183 physicians in two Brazilian states, point to inequalities in the uses and coverage of telemedicine. Private clinics spearheaded the growth.


Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of losing muscle strength by 78%
SDG 3
Vitamin D deficiency increases risk of losing muscle strength by 78%

Researchers in Brazil and the UK analyzed data for more than 3,000 people aged 50 or more to prove the importance of vitamin D to muscles.


Effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy are poorly understood, scientists note
SDG 3
Effects of antidepressants taken during pregnancy are poorly understood, scientists note

Brazilian researchers advocate trials using mini-brains grown in the lab to investigate the impact of these drugs on fetal neurodevelopment.


Infection of visceral fat cells may contribute to severe COVID-19, study suggests
SDG 3
Infection of visceral fat cells may contribute to severe COVID-19, study suggests

Brazilian researchers infected fat cells from subcutaneous and visceral tissue with SARS-CoV-2. Fat cells from organs in the abdominal cavity had a higher viral load and produced more pro-inflammatory molecules after contact with the virus.


Study links genetic variant to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas disease
SDG 3
Study links genetic variant to digestive disturbances in patients with Chagas disease

An article on the study is published in Biomedicines. The findings offer an avenue for the development of novel therapies for Chagas megaesophagus.


Chi Van Dang of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research: ‘I think we can envision a cancer-free future’
SDG 3
Chi Van Dang of Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research: ‘I think we can envision a cancer-free future’

On a visit to Brazil, the scientific director for LICR and one of the most cited researchers in the field of oncology spoke about advances in cancer treatment and the development of tools that in his view enable physicians to detect tumors very early on.


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