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

Brazilian startup develops battery for ‘flying cars’
SDG 9
Brazilian startup develops battery for ‘flying cars’

The FAPESP-supported deep tech aims to supply batteries to manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles and operators of transportation services.


Light-based therapy reduces pain associated with peripheral diabetic neuropathy, study proves
SDG 3
Light-based therapy reduces pain associated with peripheral diabetic neuropathy, study proves

The study was conducted at the Federal University of São Paulo and involved 144 diabetic patients, who were treated with monochromatic infrared light and physical therapy.


Researchers use nanotechnology to boost benefits of anthocyanin
SDG 3
Researchers use nanotechnology to boost benefits of anthocyanin

Plant-based pigment with antioxidant and anticancer properties breaks down easily in the gastrointestinal tract and under adverse environmental conditions. To avoid the problem, researchers at the University of São Paulo inserted the compound into pectin-coated nanoparticles, enhancing its bioavailability.


Low-cost method removes micro- and nanoplastics from water
SDG 6
Low-cost method removes micro- and nanoplastics from water

The strategy developed at the University of São Paulo uses magnetic nanoparticles that bind to tiny plastic particles and permit their removal with the aid of a magnet.


Registration opens for São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Structural Safety
SDG 9, SDG 13
Registration opens for São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Structural Safety

International event will be held on May 3-16, 2025, at the University of São Paulo’s campus in São Carlos.


Study shows how high blood sugar increases risk of thrombosis
SDG 3
Study shows how high blood sugar increases risk of thrombosis

Discoveries by Brazilian researchers belonging to a FAPESP-supported research center could lead to strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease associated with diabetes.


Water overuse in MATOPIBA could mean failure to meet up to 40% of local demand for crop irrigation
SDG 2, SDG 13
Water overuse in MATOPIBA could mean failure to meet up to 40% of local demand for crop irrigation

Overuse of water resources in Brazil’s main agricultural frontier region, in conjunction with climate change, is reducing replenishment of the Urucuia aquifer and surface water bodies in the basin of a tributary of the São Francisco, the largest river in the Northeast.


Studies point to correlation between preeclampsia and COVID-19 in pregnant women
SDG 3
Studies point to correlation between preeclampsia and COVID-19 in pregnant women

A review article by researchers at the State University of Campinas and Baylor College of Medicine discusses relationships between these two conditions, identifying biomarkers that can help clinicians make a differential diagnosis.


São Paulo state accounts for more than 50% of Brazil’s S&T based startups, according to a new report
SDG 9
São Paulo state accounts for more than 50% of Brazil’s S&T based startups, according to a new report

Of the 875 deep techs mapped nationwide, 28% have received funding from FAPESP’s Innovative Research in Small Business Program (PIPE), says the report produced by consultancy Emerge in partnership with Cubo Itaú, an important private sector incubator.


Largest primate in the Americas is key to reforestation in São Paulo heartland
SDG 15
Largest primate in the Americas is key to reforestation in São Paulo heartland

At the Barreiro Rico Ecological Station in Anhembi, different approaches are shared between researchers in an effort to understand the relationship between the forest and the Southern muriqui, and to connect populations by means of ecological corridors. Fire prevention in the area has allowed the group to thrive after almost disappearing.


Less than 7 mm in length, this Atlantic Rainforest flea toad is the second-smallest vertebrate described in the world
SDG 15
Less than 7 mm in length, this Atlantic Rainforest flea toad is the second-smallest vertebrate described in the world

Brachycephalus dacnis is the seventh species of flea toad identified and is larger only than an individual of a closely related species found in southern Bahia state, Brazil. The study published in PeerJ was led by a group at the State University of Campinas.


Identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutations that could help diagnose the disease
SDG 3
Identified 51 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated mutations that could help diagnose the disease

The mutations were mapped by a group at the Federal University of São Paulo and collaborators in an analysis of mitochondrial genomes. Thirteen increase the risk of ALS and 38 are protective.


British delegation visits FAPESP to intensify research collaboration
SDG 17
British delegation visits FAPESP to intensify research collaboration

Representatives of the UK Government’s Department for Education and FAPESP discussed strategies to promote more collaboration between researchers based in São Paulo state and at the best British universities.


App uses artificial intelligence to monitor sleep and treat insomnia and apnea
SDG 3, SDG 9
App uses artificial intelligence to monitor sleep and treat insomnia and apnea

The platform, which was developed with FAPESP’s support, uses a clinical protocol based on cognitive behavioral therapy. The startup responsible participated in a business delegation to FAPESP Week Italy.


Rapid horizontal eye movement can improve stability in people with Parkinson’s
SDG 3
Rapid horizontal eye movement can improve stability in people with Parkinson’s

Vertical eye movements increased body sway in an experiment involving volunteers with the disease conducted by researchers at São Paulo State University (Brazil) and the University of Lille (France).


Toothpaste with calcium and fluoride nanoparticles proves effective against enamel demineralization
SDG 3, SDG 9
Toothpaste with calcium and fluoride nanoparticles proves effective against enamel demineralization

Material was compared with conventional dentifrice through in vitro tests on bovine teeth.


Representatives of FAPESP visit U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)
SDG 17
Representatives of FAPESP visit U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)

The purpose of the meeting was to align strategies and discuss ways of increasing scientific collaboration among researchers supported by the two institutions.


Performance in physical tests can help manage treatment for metastatic lung cancer
SDG 3
Performance in physical tests can help manage treatment for metastatic lung cancer

In a study of patients with metastatic lung cancer and cachexia, researchers at the University of São Paulo and Harvard Medical School found that treatment was more likely to succeed in physically fitter patients.


Center for Studies of Favelas aims at academia-community collaboration to produce knowledge and solutions
SDG 10
Center for Studies of Favelas aims at academia-community collaboration to produce knowledge and solutions

CEFAVELA, the latest of FAPESP’s Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers, was officially launched on October 7 at the Federal University of the ABC.


Tardigrades, microscopic animals, are less cosmopolitan and more diverse than has been thought
SDG 14
Tardigrades, microscopic animals, are less cosmopolitan and more diverse than has been thought

A study conducted by researchers at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) suggests that species thought to be distributed worldwide probably do not exist in Central and South America. At the same time, a wide array of environments and few specimens from the region point to the likelihood of vast species richness.


FAPESP helps set up ten research centers that will focus on applications of artificial intelligence in Brazil
SDG 9
FAPESP helps set up ten research centers that will focus on applications of artificial intelligence in Brazil

Located in different parts of the country, the centers will conduct research in science, technology and innovation addressing problems that can be solved by AI in such areas as health, agriculture, manufacturing, and smart cities.


FAPESP and CNR plan to launch joint call for proposals in April 2025
SDG 17
FAPESP and CNR plan to launch joint call for proposals in April 2025

The work plan for the next five years was signed by representatives of the two agencies on October 16th in Bologna.


UFSCar professor is one of the winners of the Brazilian Women in Chemistry Award
SDG 5
UFSCar professor is one of the winners of the Brazilian Women in Chemistry Award

Nominated in the “Academic Leadership” category, Lucia Helena Mascaro, from the Federal University of São Carlos, is the director of the Center for the Development of Functional Materials, funded by FAPESP.


Center for Metropolitan Studies maps informal green spaces in São Paulo
SDG 11
Center for Metropolitan Studies maps informal green spaces in São Paulo

Designed for use by the academic and school community, the cartographic database totals 572 polygons, of which 48% are clubs and cemeteries.


Researchers from Brazil and Italy search industrial waste for new Alzheimer’s drugs
SDG 3
Researchers from Brazil and Italy search industrial waste for new Alzheimer’s drugs

One of the raw materials studied by the group is cashew nut shell liquid, a by-product of oilseed processing; work was presented during FAPESP Week Italy.


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