Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, the Stanley and Debra Lefkowitz Professor of Psychology at Temple, joined "Radio Times" to discuss President Obama's proposal to provide high-quality early education for all low- to moderate-income 4-year olds. "I think finally we're seeing a chance at real educational reform. This is so exciting," Hirsh-Pasek said. "Our children are spending a lot of time in front of screens and not a lot of time talking with people. We can and must do better in our pre-school environment. The social arm is important as well.

Temple President Neil Theobald outlined how the university intends to take action to address what he called the most important issue facing higher education today: student debt. Theobald cited Temple's commitment to containing tuition, responsible stewardship of public dollars, timely graduation, improving financial literacy and preparing students for the real world. "As Temple's president, I am determined to make this long-term commitment to our students, their families and the people of Pennsylvania who support the university with their tax dollars," he wrote.

Researchers have detected part of the virus that causes cervical cancer in a surprising place: a congenital brain malformation that causes an intractable form of epilepsy in children. Peter Crino, a neurologist at Temple, conducted the study. A link between the malformation and the virus could lead to new ways to manage or even prevent some forms of epilepsy, Crino said.

According to new data, 36 percent of those living with mental illnesses smoke, compared with 21 percent overall. Mental-health professionals have not done enough to address smoking among their clients, says Mark Salzer of Temple's department of rehabilitation sciences. "Having individual providers asking people about their smoking behavior routinely, and encouraging people to stop smoking, referring people to smoking-cessation programs -- these are all things that easily could be done and are not routinely done," said Salzer.