(November 8, 2007 - Insidermedicine) From Orlando - Drinking energy drinks may be risky for those with heart disease. A research study of 27 healthy volunteers shows that both systolic and diastolic blood pressure rose by nearly 10% after drinking just 2 drinks per day for a week, and heart rate increased by 5-7 beats per minute. No changes in EKG were noted.

From London - The link between breast feeding and higher IQ may be related to a gene present in 90% of people. Two studies have shown that those with a variant in a gene called fatty acid desaturase 2 who were breastfed had higher IQs. But if they did not have this common variant, breast milk didn't boost their IQs.

From New Jersey - An HIV vaccine is not only ineffective, but may raise the risk for HIV. The vaccine, which was under development by Merck for the past decade, appears to have caused an excess of HIV cases when compared to placebo. The vaccine is made from a cold virus that carries three HIV genes and those who developed HIV were previously exposed to the cold virus.

And finally from Maryland - Being a little overweight may not necessarily be a bad thing. Researchers from the CDC have shown that those whose BMI is between 25 and 30 had a raised risk for diabetes and kidney disease, but a lower risk for non-cancer and non-heart related deaths.

For Insidermedicine in 60, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.