MIRA News

Dec

2020

Axin for a friend: Protein could hold the key to longer, healthier life

December 18, 2020 – MIRA researcher, Bhagwati Gupta, has discovered how a certain protein in the body plays a key role in muscle health maintenance, lifespan and aging.

Dec

2020

MIRA researchers demonstrate continued collaboration, innovation and growth during global pandemic

December 16, 2020 – The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) and the Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging (LCMA) held its annual research showcase last week to celebrate exemplary work from its members and to recognize the generous donations of former Chancellor Suzanne Labarge. Throughout the day, which was held virtually for the first time, it became clear that McMaster’s researchers in aging—140 spanning all six Faculties—aren't going to let a global pandemic stop them from collaborating, innovating or leveraging their research.

Dec

2020

From the Optimal Aging Portal: Board games for your health and well-being

December 16, 2020 – Despite a limited number of studies, researchers have found that board games have positive effects on the knowledge, cognitive functions, physical activity and anxiety of older adults as well as the severity of Alzheimer's disease.

Dec

2020

Four McMaster researchers named Canada Research Chairs

December 16, 2020 – MIRA member, Jennifer Heisz and three other McMaster University researchers have been awarded Canada Research Chairs by the Government of Canada.

Dec

2020

Study finds pandemic impacts retirement homes differently

December 14, 2020 – MIRA member, Andrew Costa and his research team found that the Ontario retirement homes impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are those with more residents, those connected to a nursing home, owned by large corporations or offering many on-site services.

Dec

2020

Partnering principles and strategies: A guidance document for researchers, patients and caregivers

December 14, 2020 – A step-by-step guide to plan for and involve patient, caregiver, and public research partners is now available online at miracollaborative.ca under ‘Resources’.

Dec

2020

In the media: As Canada's population ages, seniors need better access to public transit

December 9, 2020 – MIRA Postdoctoral Fellow Léa Ravensbergen wrote an article for The Conversation about her research, which focuses on older adult experiences on public transit.

Dec

2020

McMaster named Canada’s most research-intensive university for the fourth year in a row

December 8, 2020 – For the fourth consecutive year, McMaster has been named Canada’s most research-intensive university in the annual ranking of the country’s Top 50 Research Universities.

Dec

2020

In the media: After months under COVID-19 seniors are more lonely, less optimistic, new study says Social Sharing

December 3, 2020 – A project funded by MIRA and focused on improving social engagement and reducing risk factors tied to social isolation, was featured in a news story from the CBC.

Nov

2020

McMaster researchers study saliva-based, asymptomatic testing as a route to limit the spread of COVID-19

November 18, 2020 – MIRA Member, Dr. Dawn Bowdish was featured in an article about her research studying the saliva-based testing procedures that would enable routine testing of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients.

Nov

2020

From the Optimal Aging Portal | Caregivers: Unsung heroes of the pandemic

October 21, 2020 – The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has put pressures on all of us, but among all those affected since the start of the pandemic, one group has met incredible challenges: caregivers. More than ever, we need one another. And more than ever, we need healthy caregivers with appropriate supports.

Oct

2020

Tapering down medications for better health

October 14, 2020 – MIRA researcher and principal investigator for TAPER, Dee Mangin was featured in a story from Brighter World about her promising research on reducing the number of unnecessary medications older adults take.

Oct

2020

WATCH: COVID-19 and aging adults

October 2, 2020 – Scientific director of MIRA, Dr. Parminder Raina explains how a national study involving 19,000 Canadians will investigate the spread and impact of COVID-19 among aging Canadians.

Oct

2020

McMaster researchers collaborate on N95 respirator made and approved in Canada

September 29, 2020 – MIRA researcher, Ravi Selvaganapathy and his team from private industry and McMaster University have successfully created an N95 respirator approved for sale in Canada.

Oct

2020

$4M launches national study on COVID-19 antibodies in older adults

October 1, 2020 – The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is launching a national study to investigate the burden of SARS-CoV-2 infection among aging Canadians.

Sep

2020

Stay connected, informed and engaged: A resource guide for older adults

October 1, 2020 – October 1, 2020 marks the 30th Anniversary of the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), the United Nations’ way of acknowledging the contributions, needs, challenges and rights of our aging population. Over the last six months, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly and severely impacted the lives of many older adults worldwide. This year’s theme, Pandemics: Do They Change How We Address Age and Ageing?, aims to raise awareness of the specific needs of older adults during a pandemic. Through evidence-based research and multiple resources and platforms that offer opportunities for older adults to connect and stay engaged despite physical distancing measures, McMaster University is also addressing the needs of older adults. The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) has compiled the following ways to stay engaged in uncertain times.

Sep

2020

From the Optimal Aging Portal: Pandemics and panic buying

September 23, 2020 – Panic buying can limit or prevent the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and low-income individuals, from accessing certain products. Read about the ways in which we can face adversity together without giving in to panic buying.

Sep

2020

In the media | Life after COVID: How patients and researchers are learning what 'recovered' means

September 21, 2020 – MIRA members Jeremy Hirota and John Connolly were featured in an article from the CBC for their research on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on people who have had the virus.

Sep

2020

In the media: McMaster professors named Canadian Academy of Health Sciences fellows

September 21, 2020 – MIRA researcher, Lehana Thabane has been named a Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS) fellow.

Sep

2020

In the media: COVID-19’s silver lining? Creating a caregiver-friendly work culture

September 17, 2020 – MIRA member, Allison Williams writes about her discoveries as a health geographer working with a team studying the space and time pressures carer-employees experience daily that have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

MIRA News

Axin for a friend: Protein could hold the key to longer, healthier life

MIRA researchers demonstrate continued collaboration, innovation and growth during global pandemic

From the Optimal Aging Portal: Board games for your health and well-being

Four McMaster researchers named Canada Research Chairs

Study finds pandemic impacts retirement homes differently

Partnering principles and strategies: A guidance document for researchers, patients and caregivers

In the media: As Canada's population ages, seniors need better access to public transit

McMaster named Canada’s most research-intensive university for the fourth year in a row

In the media: After months under COVID-19 seniors are more lonely, less optimistic, new study says Social Sharing

McMaster researchers study saliva-based, asymptomatic testing as a route to limit the spread of COVID-19

From the Optimal Aging Portal | Caregivers: Unsung heroes of the pandemic

Tapering down medications for better health

WATCH: COVID-19 and aging adults

McMaster researchers collaborate on N95 respirator made and approved in Canada

$4M launches national study on COVID-19 antibodies in older adults

Stay connected, informed and engaged: A resource guide for older adults

From the Optimal Aging Portal: Pandemics and panic buying

In the media | Life after COVID: How patients and researchers are learning what 'recovered' means

In the media: McMaster professors named Canadian Academy of Health Sciences fellows

In the media: COVID-19’s silver lining? Creating a caregiver-friendly work culture

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