Improving adsense placement?

What is the best way to optimise my current adsense placements?
The click through rates are very low currently.

site: http://www.newdesignworld.com/press/

and on the story page:
http://www.newdesignworld.com/press/story/2603


thanks

 

I will suggest change the top one to long banner or rectangular if you do not want to remove it

And the second one, try to move it a bit right

 

I have centered the 2nd one.
my reason for not adding the large banner was that I didn't want people to think this is a adsense website when they first see the site. Do you think people will think that if I add the banner?

thanks

 

Why not use 250*250 ad unit instead of the 486*60 ad unit that you are using?

And the orange color that you are using in your ads, I suggest you consider changing it.