Fapesp

FAPESP and the Sustainable Development Goals

News

Research funded by FAPESP aligned with the SDGs

News

Research funded by FAPESP aligned with the SDGs

Extreme weather events threaten river ecosystems
SDG 13, SDG 14
Extreme weather events threaten river ecosystems

Research indicates that rivers in different regions of the planet are undergoing profound transformations that exceed their capacity for resilience.


Scientists discover how a father’s obesity affects his children’s metabolism
SDG 3
Scientists discover how a father’s obesity affects his children’s metabolism

Experiments with rodents show that metabolic dysfunction is “transmitted” to offspring through molecules present in sperm, causing them to become pre-diabetic. This phenomenon is reversible through weight loss before conception.


The duration of depression may influence how severely the disease alters the brain
SDG 3
The duration of depression may influence how severely the disease alters the brain

Researchers from the universities of São Paulo and Oxford show that the duration of the disorder and severity of symptoms are associated with differences in functional brain connections, which may pave the way for personalized treatments.


Research outlines strategy to protect Amazonian cocoa against witches’ broom
SDG 2
Research outlines strategy to protect Amazonian cocoa against witches’ broom

The study identified cultivars that maintain high productivity and resilience against attacks from the disease, paving the way for more sustainable cultivation in the region


South American Indigenous peoples are diverse and descend from a third wave of migration
SDG 15
South American Indigenous peoples are diverse and descend from a third wave of migration

A FAPESP-funded study using whole-genome data from across the continent tells a more detailed story of its settlement. The study was featured on the cover of Nature.


Sabiá virus has been circulating in Brazil for 142 years and mutating, study finds
SDG 3
Sabiá virus has been circulating in Brazil for 142 years and mutating, study finds

Researchers at a FAPESP-supported center developed a new method and identified the infection in two patients who died from acute hemorrhagic and neurological syndrome in São Paulo in 2019 and 2020.


Creatine improves physical performance but does not necessarily reduce inflammation
SDG 3
Creatine improves physical performance but does not necessarily reduce inflammation

Despite its popularity, researchers at São Paulo State University found no significant effects on inflammatory markers in the body after reviewing studies on the supplement.


RCGI launches carbon credit registry with scientific rigor
SDG 13
RCGI launches carbon credit registry with scientific rigor

Initiative combines validation with a mandatory fund that transforms credits into investments for science and society.


Sustainable electrosynthesis enables production of amines directly from airborne nitrogen
SDG 9, SDG 12
Sustainable electrosynthesis enables production of amines directly from airborne nitrogen

Research conducted by a FAPESP-supported center paves the way for producing chemical inputs widely used in industry, such as in medicines and cosmetics, where they act as active ingredients or stabilizers.


Sustainable electrosynthesis enables production of amines directly from airborne nitrogen
SDG 9, SDG 12
Sustainable electrosynthesis enables production of amines directly from airborne nitrogen

Research conducted by a FAPESP-supported center paves the way for producing chemical inputs widely used in industry, such as in medicines and cosmetics, where they act as active ingredients or stabilizers.


Basic education is making progress, but structural inequalities pose barriers, says Ivan Siqueira
SDG 4
Basic education is making progress, but structural inequalities pose barriers, says Ivan Siqueira

The assessment was made by the professor from the Federal University of Bahia during the 2nd FAPESP 2026 Conference. He also discussed the limitations of the current model, the need for objective criteria in educational policies, and the impact of artificial intelligence on teaching.


Even at low concentrations in the air, particulate matter increases hospitalizations for kidney disease
SDG 3
Even at low concentrations in the air, particulate matter increases hospitalizations for kidney disease

In ten years, levels of this type of pollution in São Paulo, Brazil, reached more than four times the limit recommended by the World Health Organization.


Biodegradable sensors attached to plants detect pesticides in three minutes
SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 12
Biodegradable sensors attached to plants detect pesticides in three minutes

Made from non-toxic plant-based material, the devices can also monitor biomarkers, diseases, and nutrient levels in plants.


Biodegradable sensors attached to plants detect pesticides in three minutes
SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 9, SDG 12
Biodegradable sensors attached to plants detect pesticides in three minutes

Made from non-toxic plant-based material, the devices can also monitor biomarkers, diseases, and nutrient levels in plants.


Brazilian technology helps NASA assess health risks for astronauts on mission to the Moon
SDG 9
Brazilian technology helps NASA assess health risks for astronauts on mission to the Moon

The U.S. space agency used a device developed by a startup supported by FAPESP to monitor the sleep patterns, physical activity, and interactions of astronauts on the Artemis 2 mission.


Brazilian technology helps NASA assess health risks for astronauts on mission to the Moon
SDG 9
Brazilian technology helps NASA assess health risks for astronauts on mission to the Moon

The U.S. space agency used a device developed by a startup supported by FAPESP to monitor the sleep patterns, physical activity, and interactions of astronauts on the Artemis 2 mission.


Genes linked to neuronal communication appear altered in immune cells of patients with depression
SDG 3
Genes linked to neuronal communication appear altered in immune cells of patients with depression

Genetic mapping reinforces the systemic nature of the disease and paves the way for developing blood tests that can detect it.


Genes linked to neuronal communication appear altered in immune cells of patients with depression
SDG 3
Genes linked to neuronal communication appear altered in immune cells of patients with depression

Genetic mapping reinforces the systemic nature of the disease and paves the way for developing blood tests that can detect it.


Platform brings together remote sensing images of favelas
SDG 10
Platform brings together remote sensing images of favelas

Brazil Data Cube-Favelas, a partnership between the National Institute for Space Research and CEFAVELA, a FAPESP RIDC, will provide access to large volumes of data. An article on the technology won an award at the Applied Computing Workshop.


Scientists use ultrasound to destroy influenza A and COVID-19 viruses without damaging human cells
SDG 3
Scientists use ultrasound to destroy influenza A and COVID-19 viruses without damaging human cells

The use of high-frequency waves paves the way for new treatments against other viral infections such as dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.


Scientists use ultrasound to destroy influenza A and COVID-19 viruses without damaging human cells
SDG 3
Scientists use ultrasound to destroy influenza A and COVID-19 viruses without damaging human cells

The use of high-frequency waves paves the way for new treatments against other viral infections such as dengue, Zika, and Chikungunya.


Brazilians obtain Latin America’s first cloned pig for xenotransplantation
SDG 3
Brazilians obtain Latin America’s first cloned pig for xenotransplantation

Project conducted at the University of São Paulo with support from FAPESP aims to ensure that the country has its own technology and does not depend on imports to perform xenotransplants in the public healthcare system.


Brazilians obtain Latin America’s first cloned pig for xenotransplantation
SDG 3
Brazilians obtain Latin America’s first cloned pig for xenotransplantation

Project conducted at the University of São Paulo with support from FAPESP aims to ensure that the country has its own technology and does not depend on imports to perform xenotransplants in the public healthcare system.


Inexpensive material compresses light, paving the way for photonic microcircuits in the terahertz range
SDG 9
Inexpensive material compresses light, paving the way for photonic microcircuits in the terahertz range

Study shows that lead iodide can support phonon-polaritons, allowing radiation to be confined on a nanoscale and enabling new data transmission devices.


Atmospheric systems control the transport of rainfall and nutrient from Africa to the Amazon
SDG 13
Atmospheric systems control the transport of rainfall and nutrient from Africa to the Amazon

Study indicates that events such as cold air masses in the Northern Hemisphere alter the transport of aerosols across the Atlantic that nourish forest soils. It was previously believed that this influence came from changes in wind direction.


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