British team's success with jab that targets proteins common to every type of flu virus

Scientists at Oxford University have successfully tested a universal flu vaccine that could work against all known strains of the illness, taking a significant step in the fight against a disease that affects billions of people each year.

Fitness fanatics in their 60s, 70s and 80s explain what motivates them to hit the pool or pull on their running shoes

Tired? Lethargic? In dire need of 40 winks? Join the club. But how to boost our energy levels without putting in too much effort? Plus, we ask a doctor, a finance whiz, a radio presenter and a chef how they get by on so little sleep

I finally accepted the urgent need to sort out my energy levels when the clocks went back last year. The days were suddenly short, drab, dark. I snored through the alarm every morning, then kick-started myself with strong coffee (and often migraine tablets due to a pain behind my eye). By midday, I'd be working out ways to fit in a sneaky nap. Of an evening, I'd drink wine to wind down, before sliding into bed with a laptop, promising myself sleep by at least midnight, then Skyping friends, ordering groceries and reading tomorrow's papers until past 2am. It didn't seem stupid at the time. Of course it didn't – my mind was in a permanent tired yet over-stimulated fog. And anyway, everyone I knew was the same. The living half-dead.

How can we be sure the man next door is warm enough and taking his tablets?

Our neighbour, a widower, lives alone. He is not keen on having regular help, but likes us to drop in. We feel that his house is much too cold, but he doesn't complain about it. What can we do to help? He has tablets for his heart, but we're not sure he is taking them.Try to convince him that he is at risk, because he may not feel the difference in temperature. Our sense of heat and cold tends to diminish with age, even when we are healthy, and medication may make the loss worse, particularly if people have heart problems. With lower temperature comes forgetfulness and even confusion, so he may forget his pills. That can be crucial if he has to take aspirin to prevent clots. We know 75- to 84-year-olds with heart disease who don't take their aspirin are at highest risk of a heart attack on cold days, so make sure he takes them. Keeping up his body heat means more than wrapping up in warm clothing – he needs a warm room and hot meals. Can you and other neighbours visit him at least once a day?