Vox Pop on WAMC

It's the Science Forum today on Vox Pop as we welcome back our esteemed panel of experts to answer your science questions. On today's show:

Dr. Barbara Brabetz is associate professor of biochemistry in the department of natural sciences at the State University of New York at Cobleskill.

Dr. Nancy Slack is emeritus professor of biology and history of science of the Sage Colleges.

A physicist, Dr. Ken Welles, is retired following a 33 plus year career at the GE Global Research Center.

On this edition of Vox Pop, we welcome renowned astronomer Bob Berman to the studio to field all of your Astronomy-related questions.

One of the best-known and most widely-read astronomers in the world, Bob can translate complex scientific concepts into terms that are easily understood by the casual stargazer, yet meaningful to the most advanced researchers. WAMC's Ray Graf hosts.

Today on Vox Pop we welcome musician Tony Levin.

Tony is known from his work with Peter Gabriel, King Crimson, David Bowie, John Lennon and Buddy Rich, just to name a few are among the scores of artists Tony has recorded and played with. Tony is an expert bassist and also plays the stick, a unique and challenging instrument that has captured his interest and musical imagination in recent years. WAMC's Brian Shields hosts.

Today on Vox Pop, bird expert Rich Guthrie answering your avian inquiries. WAMC's Alan Chartock hosts.

Today on Vox Pop, we look at where art and law meet with the Copyright Forum. Our gyests are intellectual property lawyer Paul Rapp, artist Polly Law, and medical illustrator Bill Westwood. WAMC’s Alan Chartock hosts.

One day before a ban on certain sugary beverages in certain settings in New York City was set to take effect; a state judge ruled yesterday that the policy, championed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, should not be imposed.

In his ruling, Justice Milton A. Tingling Jr. called the rules, “arbitrary and capricious,” echoing consumer and beverage industry claims that the rules, which would include restricting the size of sugary drinks to 16 ounces or less at restaurants, street carts, and entertainment venues, are confusing and unenforceable.

Joining us today on Medical Monday to talk about endocrinology is Dr. Gregg Gerety.

After graduating from the University of Vermont, Dr. Gerety went to medical school at the Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, New York. He studied internal medicine in Albany, and completed his fellowship in endocrinology at Yale in 1988.

Board-certified in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism,  Dr. Gerety is a past-president of the American Diabetes Association - New York State affiliate. WAMC's Alan Chartock hosts.

Joining on this edition of Vox Pop is arborist Fred Breglia, gardener Greg Ward, for this early March edition of WAMC’s gardening program.

Our dynamic gardening duo is here for your questions on everything from bark to begonias. WAMC’s Ray Graf hosts.

In his State of the Union Address last month, President Barack Obama called on congress to pass an increase to the federal minimum wage, raising it from its current rate $7.25 per hour to $9 per hour.

This week, House and Senate Democrats introduced legislation to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, more than a dollar higher than Obama proposed.

Today we are discussing two hot topics – how the so-called sequester could affect the 2014 midterm elections, and fracking in New York.

The budget cuts known as sequestration took effect last Friday, and while the overall effects of the cuts on national and local economies and government efficiency have yet to be realized, the effect of the cuts on the national political landscape may be coming into focus this week.