Explainer: Why So Many Houses in Japan Survive Major Earthquakes

New research from Vrije Universiteit (VU University) has found that the muscles of patients with long COVID or the chronic fatigue condition ME/CFS are structurally different from those of healthy people who have simply been inactive for a long time. The findings challenge the assumption that muscle deterioration in these patients is primarily caused by reduced physical activity. Scientists analyzed muscle tissue and identified specific abnormalities that cannot be explained by deconditioning alone. The research suggests there is an underlying biological mechanism driving muscle damage in long COVID and ME/CFS patients. This is significant for patients in Curaçao and across the Caribbean, where long COVID cases continue to affect a portion of the post-pandemic population. The study adds to growing scientific evidence that these conditions are distinct physiological illnesses, not merely the result of lifestyle factors. Experts hope the findings will lead to more targeted treatments for patients who have long struggled to have their symptoms taken seriously.

Japan's population of citizens holding Japanese nationality has fallen below 120 million for the first time in 42 years, according to new figures. The decline reflects a long-standing demographic trend driven by low birth rates and an aging population. At the same time, the number of foreign residents living in Japan has reached a record high, signaling a shift in the country's population makeup. The contrast between the shrinking native population and rising foreign presence highlights ongoing debates in Japan about immigration policy and demographic sustainability. Japan has historically maintained strict immigration controls, making the record foreign resident figure particularly noteworthy. The trend poses significant challenges for Japan's economy, social security systems, and workforce in the coming decades.

Several children in Kalmthout, Belgium, became ill after drinking large amounts of water in a short period of time as part of a so-called 'pisquiz' — a challenge in which participants must drink water rapidly and hold off urinating. The municipality's mayor expressed regret over the incident and issued a public apology. Drinking excessive amounts of water in a short time can cause hyponatremia, a dangerous drop in blood sodium levels that can lead to serious health complications. The incident raises concerns about the risks of viral social challenges that circulate among young people. Local authorities have not yet specified exactly how many children were affected or the severity of their conditions. The mayor's response signals that the municipality feels some responsibility, possibly because the challenge took place at or near a school or community event.