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What Are The Benefits Of Quitting Weed?

The jury is out on whether or not marijuana is a gateway drug. Some studies say yes, and some say no. There are benefits to quitting weed o quitting weed, but the main question about benefits is whether or not that main benefit is due to the avoidance of a major factor in drug use. In other words, does smoking marijuana lead to the use of stronger drugs?

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Plastic debris on a marine turtle nesting beach. Photo: Annette Broderick

Sea turtles face plastic pollution peril

A new global review led by the University of Exeter that set out to investigate the hazards of marine plastic pollution has warned that all seven species of marine turtles can ingest or become entangled in the discarded debris that currently litters the oceans.

The research, which was carried out in collaboration with Plymouth Marine Laboratory, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, North Carolina State University, Duke University Marine Lab and James Cook University, is published in the ICES Journal of Marine

The real 'Paddington' captured on camera

A series of remarkable new camera trap videos set up with the help of Exeter University biologists has revealed some of the first ever footage of a critically endangered bird, the Sira Currasow, and has confirmed the presence of the vulnerable spectacled bear, on which the children’s character Paddington Bear is based, in the Sira Communal Reserve of Peru.

The hidden cameras also captured 30 species of mammals including jaguar, giant anteater, Brazilian tapir and puma.

Nominees gather for the semi-finalists announcement

Venus Awards semi-finalists announced

Excitement is building for this year’s Devon Venus Awards with the announcement of the semi-finalists at a packed awards ceremony in Plymouth.

More than a hundred women attended the event at Plymouth Science Park, which provided complementary canapés and drinks for the nominees. Venus Awards founder Tara Howard was also on hand to congratulate all the nominees and semi-finalists.

The Venus Awards recognise the efforts and talents of local businesswomen and are split into 12 categories covering all aspects of business and personal achievement.

Wendy Yelland, Hospiscare housekeeper with a patient John Wonnacott.

Hospiscare complains to BBC about “grotty” hospice storyline in EastEnders

Exeter’s end of life charity Hospiscare has complained to the BBC about an Eastenders’ storyline criticising a “grotty” hospice.

Hospiscare housekeeper Wendy Yelland, who works at Hospiscare’s hospice in Dryden Road, was appalled after watching the story develop.

“A character in the show was dying and they ran a very negative portrayal of the hospice he was in,” said Wendy. “When he died his daughter complained about her dad dying in a grotty hospice. I was so annoyed by that comment.

Duchess gives birth to a baby girl

The Duchess of Cambridge has given birth to a baby girl.

The baby was delivered at 8.34am and the Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

A statement from Kensington palace said: "Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge was safely delivered of a daughter at 8.34am.

"The baby weighs 8lbs 3oz.

"The Duke of Cambridge was present for the birth.

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news.

Devon man’s trek for Nepal disaster

From Monday 4th May, Paul Mattin will march 170 miles from his Devon home to the Nepali Embassy in London where he will deliver prayer flags and pay respect for the thousands of lives that have been lost.

Paul Mattin from Woodbury Salterton is a former Royal Marines Officer (Captain) who specialises in leadership and training. He has led numerous expeditions to Everest and is in close contact with friends from a Sherpa family living in the Everest Valley.

Kevin Carr the Devon Man who ran fastest round the world

The Devon man who ran the world

Solo and self-supported ultra marathon runner Kevin Carr has been running for 19 months, back in his home county of Devon having circumnavigated the globe – running between a marathon and a half and two marathons a day.

Today (Thursday 9 April 2015), Kevin will complete the 'Hard Way Round' and arrive back at Haytor on Dartmoor.

Haiti, an aid crisis, five years on

Nearly five years ago, Haiti was struck with a massive 7.0 scale earthquake that killed up to 300,000, and left 1.5 million homeless. Today however, it remains a country riven with problems, despite the promises of the biggest humanitarian mobilization of a generation.

Public Urged to Change Passwords as Major Security Bug Revealed

Major tech firms are urging people to change all their passwords after the discovery of a major security flaw affecting around 66% all internet sites.

The flaw dubbed the ‘Heartbleed Bug’ by major web security firms Google Security and Codnomicon, affects a widely used piece of data safeguarding software called OpenSSL.

The software is reportedly used on around 66% of all internet sites and while not all are thought to be vulnerable several major sites including flickr, okcupid and the video games forum steam community were vulnerable as of yesterday.

Flatulent cows cause methane blast

An explosion in a cow shed in the German town of Rasdorf yesterday afternoon (Monday 27 Jan) was caused by a build-up of flatulent gas, German police have said.

The blast caused damage to the shed’s roof and left one of the cows with injuries.

Police believe that the shed became filled flammable methane gas released by the flatulence and belches from the 90 cows.

It is then though that a small static electrical spark then caused the gas to ignite and explode.