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

Hearing loss in middle age may accelerate cognitive decline
SDG 3
Hearing loss in middle age may accelerate cognitive decline

The conclusion comes from a study that followed 805 Brazilians in their 50s for eight years. The results underscore the need for increased attention to hearing health as a way to prevent dementia.


Migrants and refugees: the construction of the figure of the ‘undesirable’
SDG 16
Migrants and refugees: the construction of the figure of the ‘undesirable’

At the 2nd FAPESP 2025 Conference, the French anthropologist and ethnologist Michel Agier exposed the ethical and political limits of contemporary society. He proposed the African concepts of Zumunti, Teranga and Ubuntu as cosmopolitical horizons for a common life.


São Paulo startup bets on regenerative agriculture
SDG 2, SDG 5, SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 13
São Paulo startup bets on regenerative agriculture

With the support of FAPESP, Santa Food Tech has developed a model to transform urban areas into laboratories of sustainability; the initiative is already implemented in four micro-regions of the state capital and in Guarulhos.


Beef production emits more than twice the greenhouse gas targets
SDG 2, SDG 13
Beef production emits more than twice the greenhouse gas targets

In an article published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research, researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo discuss the need for the production chain to adopt emission reduction practices.


Book synthesizes knowledge from the past 50 years about the order of jellyfish that is home to giant species
SDG 14
Book synthesizes knowledge from the past 50 years about the order of jellyfish that is home to giant species

Among the 36 authors, André Morandini, director of the Center for Marine Biology of the University of São Paulo, presents the results of studies supported by FAPESP.


Research reveals how exercise helps prevent acute muscle pain from becoming chronic
SDG 3
Research reveals how exercise helps prevent acute muscle pain from becoming chronic

Through experiments with mice, scientists from the State University of Campinas have shown that physical activity induces immune cells involved in the inflammatory process to acquire an anti-inflammatory profile. The finding opens the way to new therapeutic approaches.


Speech and hearing tests allow early detection of rare type of dementia that affects language
SDG 3
Speech and hearing tests allow early detection of rare type of dementia that affects language

A study conducted at the Federal University of São Paulo compared the performance of people diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and healthy individuals, identifying the main tasks that can signal the presence of the syndrome.


Consumption of ultra-processed foods by children up to one year old favors harmful bacteria in the gut
SDG 3
Consumption of ultra-processed foods by children up to one year old favors harmful bacteria in the gut

Analysis of the gut microbiota of more than 700 babies also showed that breastfeeding was a protective factor, mitigating the problem in those who consumed industrialized products. The study underscores the importance of breastfeeding and avoiding foods high in sugar, saturated fat, salt and chemical additives.


Study reconstructs a century of pollution in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) using aquatic sediments
SDG 11
Study reconstructs a century of pollution in the city of São Paulo (Brazil) using aquatic sediments

The samples were taken from the bottom of a lake in the Ipiranga Fountains State Park. The analysis showed a strong correlation between industrialization, population growth and increased concentrations of pollutants.


Wearable device helps blind people detect obstacles
SDG 9, SDG 10
Wearable device helps blind people detect obstacles

System integrated into a backpack is equipped with a camera and tactile signals that vibrate to warn of the presence of objects above the waist.


New center will use artificial intelligence to provide data and analyses for public management
SDG 16
New center will use artificial intelligence to provide data and analyses for public management

With the support of FAPESP, the CCDEP should incorporate new computational methodologies to improve the production of essential information in the state of São Paulo.


FAPESP, universities and industry entities partner in Data Science for Smart Industry research center
SDG 9
FAPESP, universities and industry entities partner in Data Science for Smart Industry research center

The center is a research unit dedicated to exploring and developing advanced data science and artificial intelligence solutions with a focus on improving the efficiency, innovation and competitiveness of industries.


University of São Paulo tests first renewable hydrogen plant based on ethanol
SDG 7, SDG 9
University of São Paulo tests first renewable hydrogen plant based on ethanol

The Governor of the state of São Paulo visited the site to learn about the FAPESP-supported pilot project, which is a global pioneer and could boost sustainable energy in Brazil.


PROASA seeks to strengthen São Paulo’s role in the ocean science and sustainability agenda
SDG 14
PROASA seeks to strengthen São Paulo’s role in the ocean science and sustainability agenda

Coordinators of the FAPESP Program for the South Atlantic and Antarctica begin mapping São Paulo’s ocean science at an event in Santos.


Aquaculture in the Amazon promotes food security with less impact than livestock farming
SDG 12, SDG 13
Aquaculture in the Amazon promotes food security with less impact than livestock farming

In an article in Nature Sustainability, researchers from Brazil and the United States point out the advantages of fish farming over livestock farming, but warn of the need for stricter environmental regulations to prevent the activity from becoming an additional pressure on the biome.


Human pressure most affecting Atlantic Rainforest deer density, study finds
SDG 15
Human pressure most affecting Atlantic Rainforest deer density, study finds

The most robust estimate ever made in the biome shows that hunting, predation by domestic dogs, livestock diseases and competition with wild boars are among the main anthropogenic influences. Scientists used an innovative method involving trained dogs and fecal DNA analysis.


Maternal childhood trauma may lead to early metabolic changes in male children
SDG 3
Maternal childhood trauma may lead to early metabolic changes in male children

This is the finding of a study that followed 352 pairs of newborns and their mothers in the cities of Guarulhos and São Paulo (Brazil). Changes observed in the first two months of life may increase future risk of obesity and diabetes.


Research expands options for more sustainable soybean production
SDG 2
Research expands options for more sustainable soybean production

A group of scientists supported by FAPESP is studying a new strain of bacteria in consortium with rhizobia, microorganisms that biologically fix nitrogen, an essential nutrient for crops.


Study details role of protein that may play a key role in the development of schizophrenia
SDG 3
Study details role of protein that may play a key role in the development of schizophrenia

The rodent experiment, conducted at the State University of Campinas, highlighted the involvement of the hnRNP A1 molecule in maintaining the integrity of the myelin sheath – a fatty layer that protects neurons and facilitates communication between them. The findings pave the way for potential therapies.


Scientists call for more biodiversity on COP-30 agenda
SDG 13
Scientists call for more biodiversity on COP-30 agenda

The topic was discussed during the first event of the FAPESP Conferences 2025 series, with guest speaker Ane Alencar, Director of Science at the Amazon Environmental Research Institute.


RIDC Bridge aims to orchestrate actions across sectors to solve major global challenges
SDG 9, SDG 12
RIDC Bridge aims to orchestrate actions across sectors to solve major global challenges

Inaugurated at a ceremony held at the University of São Paulo on March 31st, the FAPESP-funded center aims to tackle complex problems such as climate urgency, inequality and deindustrialization.


Cybersecurity is in transition as new technologies emerge
SDG 9
Cybersecurity is in transition as new technologies emerge

Workshop brought together Brazilian and American experts to discuss new opportunities for collaborative research in the face of increasing volumes of information, the rise of artificial intelligence, the imminent arrival of quantum computing, and the mass production of fake news.


In a preclinical study, a new jararaca antivenom serum was three times more effective than the standard one
SDG 3
In a preclinical study, a new jararaca antivenom serum was three times more effective than the standard one

Researchers from the Federal University of São Paulo and the Butantan Institute are working on an improved version of the antibothropic serum, with more neutralizing antibodies and fewer proteins associated with side effects.


Study evaluates effect of oxidizing compounds on melanoma cells
SDG 3
Study evaluates effect of oxidizing compounds on melanoma cells

Results from a FAPESP-supported research center pave the way for expanding the use of photodynamic therapy in the fight against skin cancer.


Brazilian startup repurposes mining waste for energy storage
SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 12
Brazilian startup repurposes mining waste for energy storage

Company developed with the support of FAPESP a process to transform by-products into high-tech materials for batteries.


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