ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

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• Uncontrollable ice-melt? Uncorking East Antarctica could yield unstoppable sea-level rise, simulations show
• Infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice
• Taking the lead out of a promising solar cell: Environmentally friendly solar cell pushes forward the 'next big thing in photovoltaics'
• Global warming not uniform around the globe: Some areas were recently cooling
• Functioning of aged brains and muscles in mice made younger: More progress with GDF 11, anti-aging protein
• Environmental factors as important as genes in understanding autism
• Approaching the island of stability: Observation of the superheavy element 117
• Breaking up water: Controlling molecular vibrations to produce hydrogen
• Many Ivy League students don't view ADHD medication misuse as cheating: 18 percent use stimulants to help them study
• Experimental drug prolongs life span in mice
• Tree rings reveal nightmare droughts in Western U.S.
• How Were The Egyptian Pyramids Built?

Uncontrollable ice-melt? Uncorking East Antarctica could yield unstoppable sea-level rise, simulations show Posted: 05 May 2014 07:44 AM PDT The melting of a rather small ice volume on East Antarctica's shore could trigger a persistent ice discharge into the ocean, resulting in unstoppable sea-level rise for thousands of years to come. These findings are based on computer simulations of the Antarctic ice flow using improved data of the ground profile underneath the ice sheet.

Infusion of young blood recharges brains of old mice Posted: 05 May 2014 06:49 AM PDT Something -- or some things -- in the blood of young mice has the ability to restore mental capabilities in old mice, a new study has found. If the same goes for humans, it could spell a new paradigm for recharging our aging brains, and it might mean new therapeutic approaches for treating dementias such as Alzheimer's disease.

Taking the lead out of a promising solar cell: Environmentally friendly solar cell pushes forward the 'next big thing in photovoltaics' Posted: 04 May 2014 10:32 AM PDT Researchers have developed a solar cell with good efficiency that uses tin instead of lead perovskite as the harvester of light. The low-cost, environmentally friendly solar cell can be made easily using 'bench' chemistry -- no fancy equipment or hazardous materials. Perovskite solar cells are being touted as the 'next big thing in photovoltaics.' Lead perovskite has achieved 15 percent efficiency, and tin perovskite should be able to match -- and possibly surpass -- that.

Global warming not uniform around the globe: Some areas were recently cooling Posted: 04 May 2014 10:32 AM PDT New research shows the first detailed look at global land surface warming trends over the last 100 years, illustrating precisely when and where different areas of the world started to warm up or cool down.

Functioning of aged brains and muscles in mice made younger: More progress with GDF 11, anti-aging protein Posted: 04 May 2014 10:32 AM PDT Scientists have shown that a protein they previously demonstrated can make the failing hearts in aging mice appear more like those of young health mice, similarly improves brain and skeletal muscle function in aging mice. In two separate articles scientists report that injections of a protein known as GDF11, which is found in humans as well as mice, improved the exercise capability of mice equivalent in age to that of about a 70-year-old human.

Environmental factors as important as genes in understanding autism Posted: 04 May 2014 06:56 AM PDT Environmental factors are more important than previously thought in understanding the causes of autism, and equally as important as genes, according to the largest study to date to look at how autism runs in families. The study also provides measures of individual risk for children who have a relative with autism.

Approaching the island of stability: Observation of the superheavy element 117 Posted: 02 May 2014 05:13 AM PDT The periodic table of the elements is to get crowded towards its heaviest members. Evidence for the artificial creation of element 117 has recently been obtained at an accelerator laboratory located in Germany.

Breaking up water: Controlling molecular vibrations to produce hydrogen Posted: 01 May 2014 11:22 AM PDT Converting methane into hydrogen is crucial for clean energy and agriculture. This reaction requires water and a catalyst. Scientists have now used a novel laser approach to control specific vibrations of a water molecule, which can affect the efficiency of the reaction.

Many Ivy League students don't view ADHD medication misuse as cheating: 18 percent use stimulants to help them study Posted: 01 May 2014 10:26 AM PDT Nearly one in five students at an Ivy League college reported misusing a prescription stimulant while studying, and one-third of students did not view such misuse as cheating, according to a new study. Stimulants are used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recent studies have shown that students without ADHD are misusing these medications in hopes of gaining an academic edge.

Experimental drug prolongs life span in mice Posted: 01 May 2014 08:23 AM PDT Scientists newly identified a protein's key role in cell and physiological aging and have developed an experimental drug that inhibits the protein's effect and quadrupled the lifespan in a mouse model of accelerated aging. Their lungs and vascular system were protected from rapid aging. The experimental drug could potentially be used to treat human diseases that cause accelerated aging such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes and HIV infection and even extend someone's healthy life.

Tree rings reveal nightmare droughts in Western U.S. Posted: 01 May 2014 07:11 AM PDT Scientists extended Utah's climate record back to 1429 using tree rings. They found Utah's climate has seen extreme droughts, including one that lasted 16 years. If history is repeated in the rapidly growing Western states, the water supply would run out based on current consumption.

How Were The Egyptian Pyramids Built? Posted: 28 Mar 2008 07:43 AM PDT The Aztecs, Mayans and ancient Egyptians were three very different civilizations with one very large similarity: pyramids. However, of these three ancient cultures, the Egyptians set the standard for what most people recognize as classic pyramid design: massive monuments with a square base and four smooth-sided triangular sides, rising to a point. The Aztecs and Mayans built their pyramids with tiered steps and a flat top.

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