1-minute English speech

Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking FOX.

According to the news, the flu season has already started in Japan.Apparently, it's the second earliest start on record.At my son's kindergarten, we also got a notice saying that several children had come down with the flu.

By the way, I sometimes hear people say something that doesn't really match the evidence.First, some people say they got better right after taking antivirals. But actually, the evidence only shows about a one-day reduction in feverSecond, some people say they still got the flu even though they got a vaccine.Flu vaccines don't have strong evidence for preventing infection itself, but they do work when it comes to preventing severe illness.

Simple habits like washing your hands and gargling are important as basic precautions.So, take care of yourselves and stay safe this flu season.

That's it. See you next time.

Thinking FOXによる1分間の英語スピーチです。

ニュースによると、日本ではすでにインフルエンザの流行が始まっているそうです。どうやら、記録上2番目に早い流行の始まりとのことです。息子の幼稚園でも、何人かの子どもがインフルエンザにかかったというお知らせをもらいました。

ところで、インフルエンザといえば、エビデンスとあまり合っていないことを言う人の話をときどき耳にします。まず、抗ウイルス薬を飲んだ直後に良くなったと言う人がいます。しかし実際には、エビデンスが示しているのは発熱期間が1日ほど短くなるということだけです。次に、インフルエンザワクチンを接種したのにインフルエンザにかかった、と言う人もいます。インフルエンザワクチンには感染そのものを防ぐという強いエビデンスはありませんが、重症化を防ぐという点では効果があります。

手洗いやうがいといった簡単な習慣も、基本的な予防策として大切です。というわけで、みなさんもお体に気をつけて、今シーズンのインフルエンザを無事に乗り切ってください。

以上です。また次回お会いしましょう。

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Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking FOX.

It is September 1st, and summer is coming to an end.

I sometimes see a cicada（セミ） playing dead（死んだふりをしている） at my front door.

It's lying upside down as if it's dead.

But when I get close to it, it suddenly flies off.

These days, it's apparently called a "cicada bomb" or a "semi-final."

From what I've heard, the cicada is on the verge of death but is mustering（奮い起こす） its remaining strength.

It doesn't bother me, but it startles my wife and kids.

So, here's how to tell a dead cicada from one that is just playing dead.

The key is in its legs.

If its legs are tucked in, it's really dead, so it won't be flying away anymore.

But if its legs are spread open, it's still alive and could fly off.

This is because insects' muscles contract（拘縮する） after death, which causes their legs to curl inward.

That's it. See you next time.

2. 日本語訳

Thinking FOXによる1分間の英語スピーチです。

9月1日、夏も終わりに近づいてきました。

この時期になると、玄関先で死んだふりをしているセミをよく見かけます。

ひっくり返って、まるで死んでいるかのように横たわっているのです。

でも近づくと、突然飛び去ります。

最近では、これは「セミ爆弾」あるいは「セミファイナル」と呼ばれているそうです。

聞いたところによると、セミは死の淵にありながら、残された力を振り絞っているのだそうです。

私は平気なのですが、妻や子どもたちはいつも驚かされています。

そこで、本当に死んでいるセミと、死んだふりをしているだけのセミを見分ける方法をお伝えします。

決め手は脚にあります。

脚が内側に折りたたまれていれば、そのセミは本当に死んでいるので、もう飛び去ることはありません。

でも脚が開いていれば、まだ生きていて、飛び立つ可能性があります。

これは、昆虫の筋肉が死後に収縮し、脚が内側に丸まるためです。

以上です。また次回お会いしましょう。

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Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking Fox.

I came across some shocking news.It is about Ritsu Doan, the number 10 for the Japanese national football team.Apparently, he may be close to moving to the Saudi Arabian League.I hope it is not true.Of course, I also have respect for the Saudi Arabian League, but it is true that the level of the league is not as high as major European leagues such as the Premier League or the Bundesliga.

And I want him to remain a key player for the Japanese national team at the next World Cup.To that end, he must remain in Europe.But whatever the result is, I'm a fan of him, and I will respect his decision.

That's it. See you next time.

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Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking Fox.

My son and I often play shogi together.

The first time we played was about 2 years ago, and since then he has been getting stronger day by day.

And now, even though I give him a handicap of playing without kaku and hisha, the strongest pieces in the game, I would lose if I let my guard down.

Recently, my son found another opponent.

It is my daughter. My daughter is one year older than my son, but not as familiar with shogi as my son.

On the first day, my daughter said with confidence that she was definitely stronger than my son. In the end, she lost to him.

On the second day, she lost again, but she was still saying that she wasn't going all out（本気を出していない） to save face（面子を保つ）.

On the third day, I saw her happily saying that my son had given her a handicap by playing without Hisha and Kaku.

I found it very lovely and funny because the change in her attitude was very rapid.

Even so, my daughter looked happy playing shogi, and my son also looked pleased that he had found an opponent he could beat.

So from now on, I hope my son and daughter enjoy playing shogi together.

That's it. See you next time.

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Just a one-minute English speech by ThinkingFox.

In America, an outbreak of Cyclospora（サイクロスポラ） is a growing concern among consumers.In particular, American taco chain Taco Bell was hit by a temporary decline in same-store sales（既存店売上高） because the chopped lettuce was contaminated with（〜に汚染された） it.Cyclospora is a protozoan（原虫） that parasitizes（寄生する） the intestines（腸）, causing diarrhea（下痢） after an incubation period（潜伏期間） of about a week.It has also been found in Japan, but there has never been an outbreak here.

Speaking of Taco Bell, I've heard of it, but I've never been there.When I browsed the menu on their website, there was a wide variety of tacos and burritos, which looked so appetizing（食欲をそそる）.Among them, the Beef Crunchwrap Supreme looked really delicious.It is a tortilla wrapped around a mix of cheese, vegetables, beef, and sour cream.What a tempting combination it is.If I get the chance, I want to try it.

That's it. See you next time.

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#タコベル

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Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking Fox.

Meta, the company behind the largest social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has faced lawsuits（訴訟） over harming children's mental health.

Meta settled the lawsuit by paying $18 billion and promising changes to its platforms.

Namely, it promised to set daily time limits on children's use.

Other things like alcohol or tobacco also have age restrictions.

So, I think it was appropriate that time limits were imposed on children's use of social media platforms.

But what I am concerned about is that the risk of addiction is not the matter of children alone.

Adults may also easily become addicted to it, which can lead to mental health problems.

Even though adults can freely use it, we should be mindful of our self-control.

That's it. See you next time.

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Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking Fox.

Researchers have developed an AI app for COPD patients.

It analyzes a patient's voice and detects signs of acute exacerbation（急性増悪）.

COPD is a chronic lung disease usually caused by smoking, and patients often develop dyspnea on exertion（労作性呼吸困難*）.

Sometimes, a patient's condition rapidly worsens, which is called an acute exacerbation.

A delay in seeing a doctor is likely to become critical.

So, this app is useful for shortening this delay.

*動いた時に息苦しくなる症状

When I looked into it, I found that COPD patients' voice pitch tends to become a little higher in the early phase of an exacerbation.

This app still seems to be under development, but I hope it will be available for clinical use as soon as possible.

That's it. See you next time.

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Just a one-minute English speech by Thinking Fox.

The Fire and Disaster Management Agency（総務省消防庁） released data showing that this July, 41,000 people in Japan were rushed to the hospital due to heat stroke（熱中症）.

This was the third-highest number of emergency transports on record for July, after 2018 and 2024.

Personally, this year feels a little cooler than last year.

But still, there were several days when the temperature exceeded 35 degrees.

And I also feel like I've noticed more men in the city using sun umbrellas, including myself.

To prevent heat stroke, frequent hydration and the use of air conditioning are required.

Please stay safe, everyone.

As for me, I’m especially anxious about my son's soccer practice because it's held on weekday afternoons.

That's it. See you next time.

参考記事

https://medical.jiji.com/news/61548

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