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

Study paves the way for new therapeutic strategies against obesity
SDG 3
Study paves the way for new therapeutic strategies against obesity

Research conducted by Redoxoma, a FAPESP Research, Innovation, and Dissemination Center, found that mitochondrial potassium channels regulate heat production in brown adipose tissue.


Palm trees are the Amazon’s ‘water tanks’
SDG 13, SDG 15
Palm trees are the Amazon’s ‘water tanks’

The plant family can store twice as much water as trees such as ipê, mahogany, and eucalyptus, according to a study conducted at São Paulo State University. Preliminary results were presented during the Brazil-France 2025 Forum “Forests, Biodiversity, and Human Societies”.


Device assesses skin tone to create personalized facial foundations
SDG 9
Device assesses skin tone to create personalized facial foundations

Spin-off of startup supported by FAPESP develops technology based on artificial intelligence to create individualized beauty products.


Center supported by FAPESP stands out for its research to improve fish for human health
SDG 3
Center supported by FAPESP stands out for its research to improve fish for human health

In the nearly three years since its creation, the Fish for Health Research Center has achieved significant results in understanding the nutritional value and consumption habits of fish in the state of São Paulo, received new investments, and is preparing to expand its network of associated researchers.


Device can detect banned additive in wine, orange juice and mineral water
SDG 3
Device can detect banned additive in wine, orange juice and mineral water

Sodium nitrate is used as a preservative and to add color to products such as ham and sausages, but is potentially carcinogenic and cannot be applied in beverages; researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos used pieces of cork and lasers to develop a sensor.


The largest primate in the Americas could lose up to 61% of its climatically suitable habitat by 2090
SDG 15
The largest primate in the Americas could lose up to 61% of its climatically suitable habitat by 2090

Study predicts that the two species of muriquis will be restricted mainly to coastal regions of the Atlantic Forest, leaving populations in the interior seriously at risk.


Device developed in Brazil is key to LHC upgrade
SDG 9
Device developed in Brazil is key to LHC upgrade

OpenIPMC ensures reliable data collection from the Large Hadron Collider’s detectors.


FAPESP announces the creation of 34 new Science Centers for Development
SDG 17
FAPESP announces the creation of 34 new Science Centers for Development

The fourth call for proposals for the program provides for investments of BRL 256 million. The announcement was made at a ceremony that also marked the start of Carlos Graeff’s term as the new CEO of the Executive Board.


Compound from Antarctic microorganism can be used to produce food, cosmetics, and medicine
SDG 3
Compound from Antarctic microorganism can be used to produce food, cosmetics, and medicine

The substance is essential for the survival of microbes in extreme environments and has been shown to have antioxidant, emulsifying, and stabilizing properties.


Essential oil-based solution protects fruit from fungi
SDG 2, SDG 9
Essential oil-based solution protects fruit from fungi

FAPESP-supported startup develops formulations based on bio-inputs to combat fungal infections and reduce the use of pesticides in fruit growing.


Research reveals possibility of new drug therapy for hereditary diseases
SDG 3
Research reveals possibility of new drug therapy for hereditary diseases

A study published in Science and involving a Brazilian researcher unveils a cellular mechanism involved in transmitting mutations in mitochondrial DNA. These mutations can cause serious, incurable diseases.


A high-fat diet induces inflammation in the brain, attracting immune cells from all over the body
SDG 3
A high-fat diet induces inflammation in the brain, attracting immune cells from all over the body

In tests with rodents, researchers observed that the immune system attempts to mitigate damage to the hypothalamus caused by food, which can lead to obesity in the long term. Animals whose migration of these cells was inhibited experienced greater weight gain, increased fat accumulation, and worsened metabolic markers.


‘Climate adaptation needs to touch people’s lives’
SDG 11, SDG 13
‘Climate adaptation needs to touch people’s lives’

At the 7th FAPESP 2025 Conference, Denise Duarte, researcher at the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Architecture, Urbanism, and Design, spoke about the need to map the impacts of extreme events on an individual scale and create urban thermal refuge areas in public spaces.


Investment in S&T by low- and middle-income countries has changed the geography of science over the past 30 years
SDG 10
Investment in S&T by low- and middle-income countries has changed the geography of science over the past 30 years

An analysis was conducted by Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, former scientific director of FAPESP, using the Elsevier Scopus database, which covers 100 million publications and over 7,000 scientific publishers worldwide.


FAPESP supports projects that address multiple ways of tackling climate change
SDG 13
FAPESP supports projects that address multiple ways of tackling climate change

Workshop held at the State University of Campinas as part of the Research Program on Global Climate Change outlines the challenges to be faced and the scientific efforts to predict and mitigate the problems caused by global warming.


Physical exercise can ‘train’ the immune system
SDG 3
Physical exercise can ‘train’ the immune system

In an article published in the journal Scientific Reports, an international team of researchers describes how the defense cells of older adults with a history of endurance training are more effective against inflammation.


Biotechnology is leading the deep tech scene in Brazil, but faces challenges related to infrastructure and private investment
SDG 9
Biotechnology is leading the deep tech scene in Brazil, but faces challenges related to infrastructure and private investment

According to a report by the consulting firm Emerge, almost half of the 952 science-based startups mapped in the country develop solutions in this area, especially for the health and agribusiness sectors.


Portable sensor detects synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes and biological fluids
SDG 3
Portable sensor detects synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarettes and biological fluids

Researchers develop technology that identifies highly potent and dangerous psychoactive substances. The device can be used in emergency medical facilities and to help inform users and reduce the harm associated with consumption.


FAPESP-supported center upgrades PET/CT equipment to include AI and guided biopsy capabilities
SDG 3, SDG 9
FAPESP-supported center upgrades PET/CT equipment to include AI and guided biopsy capabilities

The new functionalities allow the Cancer Theranostics Innovation Center to generate dynamic, more detailed images and provide more accurate diagnoses. The device is available to the scientific community in the state of São Paulo.


Ecstasy has the potential to become an emerging pollutant in the Bay of Santos, Brazil
SDG 6, SDG 14
Ecstasy has the potential to become an emerging pollutant in the Bay of Santos, Brazil

Researchers at the Federal University of São Paulo found that the toxicological effects of the drug on marine animals may be greater than those of cocaine. Preliminary results of the study were presented during the São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Emerging Pollutants.


For young scientists, an integrated approach is essential to mitigate the effects of climate change
SDG 13, SDG 17
For young scientists, an integrated approach is essential to mitigate the effects of climate change

Meeting at the State University of Campinas with a new generation of researchers points to collaboration between sectors to mitigate the consequences of global warming with climate justice.


Getulio Vargas Foundation inaugurates reference center for environmental governance and sustainability
SDG 13
Getulio Vargas Foundation inaugurates reference center for environmental governance and sustainability

FAPESP’s new Research, Innovation, and Dissemination Center is launched two months before COP30 and is expected to become an international reference for innovative solutions to environmental challenges.


Brazil has the highest number of deep tech companies in Latin America, but ranks third in private investment
SDG 9
Brazil has the highest number of deep tech companies in Latin America, but ranks third in private investment

These findings are from the Deep Tech Radar Latam 2025 report, prepared by the consulting firm Emerge in partnership with Cubo Itaú.


Study assesses livestock vulnerability to climate change
SDG 2, SDG 13
Study assesses livestock vulnerability to climate change

Research led by scientists at the University of São Paulo contributes to the formulation of strategies to prevent the collapse of animal protein production.


People with Down syndrome have early neuroinflammation
SDG 3
People with Down syndrome have early neuroinflammation

Researchers at the University of São Paulo identify a new factor that explains the high prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in older people with Down syndrome. The discovery paves the way for disease prevention strategies in this population.


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