Bless you! Meet the flu hunters trying to stop the next pandemic in its tracks

Remember flu? Despite lockdowns holding it at bay, a small group of scientists is searching the globe for deadly new strains – and to work out what to put in next winter’s vaccines

Dr Xand van Tulleken on the legacy of lockdown: Falling ill made me realise the true wonder of the NHS

The TV medic suffered complications after Covid and needed a heart operation. Only then did he understand the real value of a free-at-the-point-of-access healthcare system

‘Relentless calls and constant abuse’: why Britain’s vets are in crisis

Vets are no strangers to pressure, but Covid and the huge boom in pets means they have never been busier – or experienced so much stress

Study finds link between Alzheimer’s and circadian clock

Research raises hopes for new therapies that could help tackle disease and symptoms

Can a sick note make you better? Dr Gavin Francis on the power of convalescence

After serious illness, busy lives mean a proper convalescence is now a rarity. But a full and proper recovery takes time. GP and writer Gavin Francis reveals why a sick note can be a ‘powerful prescription’

Contact with nature in cities reduces loneliness, study shows

Loneliness is significant mental health concern and can raise risk of death by 45%, say scientists

Hot tub health kick: why a long bath is almost as good for you as a long run

Researchers have discovered that prolonged immersion in a piping hot bath has many of the same medical benefits as aerobic exercise

Michael Lewis: ‘We were incentivised to have a bad pandemic response’

In his new book, the author of The Big Short has turned his attention to Covid and the people who could have prevented it sweeping the US – had they been allowed to

The chemical question: does focusing on hormones undermine mental healthcare?

According to some, not factoring hormones into mental healthcare can be dangerous. For others, it feeds into outdated stereotypes

The Guardian view on taste, smell and Covid: getting back our appetite

Editorial: Patients who have recovered from coronavirus yearn to be able to enjoy food again. Good cooking is a rare joy in these times