Researchers at Temple’s Center for Obesity Research and Education are conducting a study to determine whether diet drinks or water are better for weight loss. “Some think that diet soda, because of the sweet taste, can actually make the hard work of dieting a little more pleasant,” said CORE Director Gary Foster. “Others say no, that the sweet taste actually makes you crave other sweet foods.” Foster predicts that at the end of the study there will not be a difference because “at the end of the day, weight loss is about calories.”

A groundbreaking Temple program shows Philadelphia teenagers the gruesome reality of gun violence. "Cradle to Grave" at Temple University Hospital targets its victims, the majority of whom are young, black men. In essence, it is an attempt to scare them straight, and maybe break the cycle of violence. "I think the one message is that you matter, and you only have one shot at this, and you have to protect this gift with your life," said program coordinator Scott Charles.

A state advisory panel recommended funding the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office for a new push to crack down on witness intimidation. Temple law professor David Sonenshein, who chaired the panel, said that the Philadelphia criminal justice system had clearly been beset by deep problems, but that key decision-makers seemed to be fixing key issues, as indicated by such trends as a drop in dismissal rates. "The numbers are preliminary," he said, "but what I've seen is almost all positive."