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Welcome to Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia that anyone can edit.2,353,566 articles in EnglishArtsBiographyGeographyHistoryMathematicsScienceSocietyTechnologyAll portalsOverview · Editing · Questions · HelpContents · Categories · Featured content · A–Z indexToday’s featured articleAnabolic steroids are a class of steroid hormones related to the hormone testosterone. They increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue (anabolism), especially in muscles. Anabolic steroids also have androgenic and virilizing properties, including the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics such as growth of the vocal cords and body hair. Anabolic steroids were first isolated, identified and synthesized in the 1930s, and are now used therapeutically in medicine to stimulate bone growth and appetite, induce male puberty, and treat chronic wasting conditions, such as cancer and AIDS. Anabolic steroids also produce increases in muscle mass and physical strength, and are consequently used in sport and bodybuilding to enhance strength or physique. Serious health risks can be produced by long-term use or excessive doses of anabolic steroids. These effects include harmful changes in cholesterol levels (increased low-density lipoprotein and decreased high-density lipoprotein), acne, high blood pressure, liver damage, and dangerous changes in the structure of the left ventricle of the heart. The use of anabolic steroids is banned by all major sporting bodies. Anabolic steroids are controlled substances in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Argentina and Brazil, while in other countries, such as Mexico and Thailand, they are freely available. (more…)Recently featured: BAE Systems – Prince’s Palace of Monaco – Peter JenningsArchive – By email – More featured articles…Did you know…From Wikipedia’s newest articles:… that Runcorn Town Hall (pictured) was originally built as Halton Grange, a mansion for Thomas Johnson, a local soap and alkali manufacturer?… that Palestinian nationalist poet Ibrahim Touqan wrote the poem Mawtini, which has been the national anthem of Iraq since 2003?… that the Shell Quiz is the longest-running television programme in Thailand, being broadcast since 1965?… that a Balzac comedy was inspired by an academic squabble over the claim that Spaniard Blasco de Garay built the first steam powered ship in 1543?… that Kiev Governorate was one of the first eight other governorates of the Russian Empire?… that a scandal arose when African-American actor Lorenzo Tucker, known as the “Black Valentino”, playing a pimp in a play, kissed Mae West, playing a prostitute?… that Pierre the penguin is the first bird to don a custom-made wetsuit?… that a building fire destroyed the first designs for the South Australian National War Memorial?Archive – Start a new article…In the newsMaoists win a plurality of seats in the Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, the first election in Nepal in nine years.Researchers discover what is believed to be the first use of oil painting at Bamyan in Afghanistan, predating European oil painting by some six centuries.Fernando Lugo (pictured) wins the presidential election in Paraguay, ending the Colorado Party’s 61-year rule.In auto racing, Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female driver to win an IndyCar race.An airliner operated by Hewa Bora Airways crashes upon takeoff in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, killing at least 47 people.An alliance led by Silvio Berlusconi of the People of Freedom party wins the general election in Italy.Wikinews – Recent deaths – More current events…On this day…April 30: Queen’s Day in the Netherlands; Walpurgis Night in various European countries; Reunification Day in Vietnam313 – Roman Emperor Licinius unified the eastern half of the empire under his rule.711 – Umayyad troops led by Tariq ibn Ziyad landed at Gibraltar, beginning their conquest of Hispania.1006 – SN 1006, the brightest supernova in recorded history, appeared in the constellation Lupus.1789 – George Washington (pictured) took the oath as the first President of the United States of America at Federal Hall in New York City.1945 – World War II: As Allied forces were closing in on Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun committed suicide in the Führerbunker after being married for one day.1948 – About 21 countries signed a charter in Bogotá, Colombia establishing the Organization of American States.1975 – North Vietnamese troops captured Saigon, ending the Vietnam War with the unconditional surrender of South Vietnam.1993 – CERN announced that the World Wide Web would be free to everyone.More events: April 29 – April 30 – May 1Archive – By email – More anniversaries…Today’s featured pictureThe American Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) is a New World vulture which lives from the southeastern United States to South America. Despite the similar name and appearance, this species is unrelated to the Eurasian Black Vulture. With a wingspan of 1.5 m (5 ft) the American Black Vulture is a large bird but is relatively small for a vulture. It has black plumage, a featherless, grayish-black head and neck, and a short, hooked beak.Photo credit: MdfRecently featured: Steam turbine – Northern Elephant Seals – FlatironsArchive – More featured pictures…