Articles by Grist staff

The Brick of Disaster

Autism may be linked to environmental factors, research says A new study looking into possible environmental causes of autism, a neurological disorder that affects communication and social-interaction abilities, demonstrates that a suite of pollutants working in combination can critically affect a developing embryo. The research focused on several chemicals found more than a decade ago […]

Meet the Parents

“Natural family living” is a growing trend Parents of today’s youngest generation are increasingly choosing to raise their kids in more natural, even old-fashioned, ways, say supporters of a lifestyle called “natural family living.” This parenting approach involves trusting instincts over published experts and using more natural means to feed, medicate, and nurture children, which […]

The Shallow End of the Secretarial Pool

Senate confirms Bodman to head Energy Department Sam Bodman’s nomination to serve as energy secretary sailed through the Senate yesterday, despite his having little to no experience working on energy issues. Now he can get to work pushing Bush’s big energy bill through Congress, fighting for the opening of the proposed nuclear-waste repository at Yucca […]

The Truck Stops Here. Please.

Celebrities popularize commercial extreme truck Move over Hummer. The hip new thing in celeb vehicle bling is the International CXT, or commercial extreme truck. The hugemongous pickup weighs more than twice as much as the Hummer H2 and sits at the height of an 18-wheeler; more important, it can tow a 20-ton yacht and lug […]