Listed below are all the research projects within Ageing funded by MIRAI2.0 – Joint seed funding of Japan-Sweden collaborative projects.
Identifying novel and unknown metabolic factors that are responsible to accelerate ageing
Profiling the metabolome of a progeroid mouse model can provide metabolic clues to define the underlying mechanism of the ageing process as well as the discovery of ageing biomarkers. The project aimed to investigate metabolic properties that are associated with ageing process using their own resources.
Minjung Lee, Waseda University and Daniel Globisch, Uppsala University
Comparison of components and determinants of quality of life among older LGBTQ+ people living in Japan and Sweden
The study investigate and compare components and determinants of quality of life among older LGBTQ+ people living in Japan and Sweden. It includes a literature review of Swedish and Japanese research and explore determinants of quality of life among older people, and experiences of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender/gender identity. Legal documents and governmental strategies in Sweden and Japan have been compared and used to further clarify the issue.
Tsukasa Muraya, Chikushijogakuen University and Anna Bratt, Linnaeus University
In collaboration with Nagoya University, Uppsala University, Örebro University
Digital engagement and oral care among older Japanese and Swedish adults
The project explore possibilities for collaboration between Sweden and Japan to understand older people’s digital engagement, identify areas of future collaboration, and build a network of researchers in health care and technology. The long term aim of the collaboration is to promote active ageing through engagement in health promoting activities with the help of technologies.
Kazuhiro Tsuga, Hiroshima University and Caroline Fischl, Jönköping University
The use of metaphors in palliative care
The past decades have seen a considerable change in communication in palliative care. By taking a collaborative focus on metaphors, this study is aimed to examine the use of metaphors in patient-healthcare professional communication.
Ruriko Otomo, Hokkaido University and Anna Sandgren, Linnaeus University
In collaboration with Nagoya University, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
Living arrangement and healthcare utilization in aging societies: an intercountry comparison between Sweden and Japan
Sweden and Japan are situated very similarly in terms of economic development but represent very different family systems, as well as different cultural and institutional contexts. The project investigate determinants of living alone in Sweden and Japan, how it has developed since the 1990s and its impact on care utilization and long-term care for older adults
Rong Fu, Waseda University and Mojgan Padyab, Umeå University
Association between gut-barrier dysfunction and catabolic function of osteomacs in bone homeostasis
As the population ages worldwide, osteoporosis and fragility fractures are growing substantially, limiting people mobility and dexterity and reducing their ability to perform their duties in the society. Aging can also have profound effects on the gastrointestinal tract, including detrimental changes on intestinal barrier permeability. The project investigate the association between gut barrier dysfunction and osteomacs function as a step to understand the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and mechanism of delayed healing of bone fractures in elderly.
Alaa Terkawi, Hokkaidoo University and Tatiana Milena Marques, Örebro University
Comparison of components and determinants of quality of life among older LGBTQ+ people living in Japan and Sweden
The study investigate and compare components and determinants of quality of life among older LGBTQ+ people living in Japan and Sweden. It includes a literature review of Swedish and Japanese research and explore determinants of quality of life among older people, and experiences of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender/gender identity. Legal documents and governmental strategies in Sweden and Japan have been compared and used to further clarify the issue.
Tsukasa Muraya, Chikushijogakuen University and Anna Bratt, Linnaeus University
In collaboration with Nagoya University, Uppsala University and Örebro University
Healthy aging in place in urban Japan and Sweden
The study evaluated and compared urban walking conditions in a representative selection of similar-sized neighborhoods in Tokyo (Japan) and Jönköping (Sweden), which have higher proportions of older residents (so-called aged or super-aged neighborhoods). It also aimed to identify cross-cultural factors that influence older adult mobility (walking), which may be amenable to future intervention or modification. The study utilized a novel walking audit design that drew on valid and reliable measures of the streetscape environment and geographic information systems analyses.
Michael Annear, Waseda University and Sofi Fristedt, Jönköping University
Co-designing digital self-care in later life
This project focuses on healthcare by older persons (range 65 to 79 years) in the home setting from the perspectives of design science, information ethics, information technology, and occupational therapy. How can emerging technologies support elderly’s selfcare and social participation? This project focuses on elucidating older people’s needs and wants regarding self-care and social participation, and identifying available digital tools to support their needs and wants.
Kzue Sako, Waseda University and xxxxxx
Social economic status, lifestyle factors, and brain aging: comparison between Japanese and Swedish Community Cohorts
Emerging studies indicated that low socioeconomic status (SES) is related to worse cognitive function and higher risk of dementia in late-life. The project the interrelationship of SES-lifestyle and brain-cognitive measures. Sweden and Japan share similar stable SES constructs and hold nationwide health insurance and a comparison between Swedish and Japanese yield a distinct effect of SES for lifestyle factors and its particular role on brain-cognition correlations.
Izumi Matsudair, Tohoku University and Nina Karalija, Umeå University
Implementation and feasibility of a regulated, supramaximal highintensity training program adapted for Japanese and Swedish older individuals living in the community
Physical exercise is undoubtedly important for health across the lifespan, including maintaining good quality of life. The goal with this project is to understand how physical exercise can be individually tailored to optimize health during aging, and how a novel training method (HIT, high intensity training), can be implemented in daily life.
Jennifer Frankel, Umeå University and Hiroaki Nakashima, Nagoya University
Comparison of components and determinants of quality of life among older LGBTQ+ people living in Japan and Sweden
The results from earlier systematic review confirms that there is a lack of research regarding older adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) in Japan and Sweden. The overall aim of this project is to further identify, develop and make use of the experiences gained concerning the components and determinants of quality of life among older LGBTQ+ people living in the community, comparing Japan and Sweden.
Anna Bratt, Linnaeus University and Tsukasa Muraya, Chikushijogauken
In collaboration with Nagoya University, Uppsala University and Örebro University
Older persons’ social participation and digital engagement in and outside the home
The aim of this project is to support older persons in their social participation in both home and community settings from the perspectives of design science, information ethics, information technology, occupational therapy, and knowledge translation. It is exploring the needs and wants of community-dwelling older people for social participation and by identifying digital services and products, including eHealth applications, that are available to support them.
Sarfraz Iqbal, Linnaeus University and Mineko Wada, Hiroshima University
In collaboration with Jönköping University and Uppsala University
Targeting the axis of gut barrier dysfunction and osteal macrophages for prevention of bone fragility and osteoporosis in elderly
The overall aim of our research project is to continue and empower our established collaboration within MIRAI to further investigate the association between gut barrier dysfunction and osteomacs function as a step to develop a new therapeutic agent for prevention of osteoporosis and accelerating delayed healing of bone fractures in elderly.
Tatiana Milena Marques, Örebro University and Alaa Terukawa, Hokkaido University
The role of the living environments for health in the ageing society in times of crises
The overarching goal of this project is to assess whether and how the indoor, close outdoor living environments and climate impact health along the ageing process in times of the population-wide crises and natural hazards. As part of this project, we have initiated building a competence-based network, developed a research proposal and started working on a systematic review to explore the effects of the living environments on health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Giedre Gefenaite, Lund University and Chie Teramoto, Hiroshima University