THURSDAY, Aug. 28 (HealthDay News) -- The ability to brake suddenly while driving is fully returned six weeks following bunion surgery, researchers say.

A bunion is the bump just below the big toe that can occur when the big toe begins to angle sideways toward the second toe. Bunions can become swollen and painful, sometimes making it hard to walk. In these cases, surgical treatment to realign the bone, ligaments, and tendons may be required.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists from the United States and China have identified the first gene directly associated with the onset of severe "dry" macular degeneration, one of two forms of age-related macular degeneration that currently threatens the vision of up to nine million older Americans.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- The blood pressure drug telmisartan does not lower the rate of stroke, cardiovascular events or diabetes better than a placebo in patients who have had a stroke, a new study finds.

Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, which works by blocking the action of chemicals that constrict the blood vessels enabling the blood to flow more smoothly, thus lowering blood pressure.

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 27 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with multiple myeloma who could not tolerate high dose chemotherapy lived longer and better by adding the drug Velcade to standard treatment, a new study found.

The finding could make multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood's plasma cells, a chronic rather than a lethal disease. And it would be particularly valuable to older patients and those with medical conditions that preclude them from receiving high doses of the standard drug therapies melphalan and prednisone, or a transplant, experts said.

(HealthDay News) -- More than half of Americans take a dietary supplement of some kind, the Cleveland Clinic says.

But all supplements aren't safe and effective. The clinic offers this primer:

* There's no better substitute for a healthy, balanced diet, which can provide most healthy people with all of the nutrients they need.
* Supplements are a good option for people who can't get enough of certain needed nutrients through diet. Pregnant women, athletes and vegetarians are prime examples.

TUESDAY, Aug. 26 (HealthDay News) -- The drug allopurinol -- a drug used to lower uric acid levels -- may lower blood pressure in adolescents with high blood pressure, a new study shows.

Because high blood pressure is commonly associated with high uric acid levels, some studies suggest that elevated uric acid may be one cause of high blood pressure. But since elevated uric acid levels in high blood pressure could be the result of several factors, high uric acid levels are not currently considered a true risk factor for hypertension.

TUESDAY, Aug. 26 (HealthDay News) -- The drug allopurinol -- a drug used to lower uric acid levels -- may lower blood pressure in adolescents with high blood pressure, a new study shows.

Because high blood pressure is commonly associated with high uric acid levels, some studies suggest that elevated uric acid may be one cause of high blood pressure. But since elevated uric acid levels in high blood pressure could be the result of several factors, high uric acid levels are not currently considered a true risk factor for hypertension.

TUESDAY, Aug. 26 (HealthDay News) -- About one in five ayurvedic medicine products purchased on the Internet contain significant levels of lead, mercury or arsenic, a new study finds.

(HealthDay News) -- Women should be cautious about exposure to any chemicals during pregnancy, even to hair dyes and treatments.

Here are guidelines for pregnant women about the use of these products, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

* Try to avoid treatments that straighten, bleach, perm or color hair until the second trimester.
* Make sure that any treatment is applied in a well-ventilated area.
* Don't leave hair chemicals in longer than necessary.
* Make sure your hair and scalp are thoroughly rinsed with water after the treatment.

THURSDAY, Aug. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Older cancer survivors need to listen to warnings about the potential risks of dietary supplements, say Duke University Medical Center researchers and colleagues.

They noted that many older cancer patients who've survived five years or more take vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements in an effort to remain disease-free. However, this supplement use may backfire.