Washington, Apr 29 : In a major scientific advancement, pharmacy researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a genetic regulator, called CTIP2, which is expressed at higher levels in the most aggressive types of head and neck cancers.

The study might help in the identification of these cancers earlier or even offer a new therapy at some point in the future.

London - Amnesty International said Wednesday that the US administration of President Barack Obama has "failed to deliver" on human rights during its first 100 days in office. Marking the date with an assessment of Obama's policies, the London-based human rights organization said the US government had sent "mixed messages" on its counter-terrorism efforts and made "promises for change with only limited action."

Kabul- An Afghan civilian was shot dead by NATO-led troops near Kabul while an alliance soldier and 10 Taliban militants were killed in separate incidents elsewhere in the country, officials said Wednesday. Soldiers in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) killed the civilian Tuesday when he failed to stop at a checkpoint in the Sayed Abad district in the central province of Wardak despite several verbal and visual signals, an ISAF statement said.

The man died later in hospital.

Washington, April 29 : Researchers at Saint Louis University have found that a topical cream when used together with surgery may help treat melanoma, potentially helping doctors cut less.

Researchers examined two cases of the most common type of melanoma of the head and neck, lentigo maligna (LM), a type of "melanoma-in- situ", the earliest stage of melanoma.

Washington, April 29 : Australian plant scientists have revealed that plants use a genetic memory to recognize when it is spring and can even count the number of cold days.

According to a report by ABC News, in a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, researchers show how winter cereal crops recognize when it is time to start flowering.

Washington, April 29 : A new study has suggested that dairy is better than calcium carbonate when it comes to promoting bone growth and strength.

In the study, researcher Connie Weaver found that the bones of rats fed non-fat dry milk were longer, wider, more dense and stronger than those of rats fed a diet with calcium carbonate.

Weaver said the study is the first direct comparison of bone properties between calcium from supplements and milk.