High demand for water amid the heat wave and problems with soil shrinking as the ground warms has resulted in burst pipes and low water pressure in Oklahoma City, prompting officials to issue mandatory water-use restrictions for the first time in at least a decade, according to utilities department spokeswoman Debbie Ragan.

CNN: Heat advisories issued to states dwindles to 15

Districts everywhere are under pressure to raise academic test scores, and to do so with ever-shrinking budgets.

CNN: Are school nurses disappearing?

If this reflects shrinking appetites for risk by investors, then small-cap stock prices may see further pressure especially those that have enjoyed strong run-ups over the past several months.

FORBES: Small-Caps Getting Destroyed

This trend is hindering Japan's long-time strategy of relying heavily on exports to drive growth and adding to pressure to find fresh momentum through stronger domestic demand at a time when the workforce is aging and shrinking and corporate investment remains feeble.

NPR: Japan Posts Record $17.4B Trade Deficit In Jan.