AN Irish woman has become the first adult in the world to receive a revolutionary REMOTE CONTROLLED 'ROBO SPINE', which uses magnets to combat the effects of scoliosis. Deirdre McDonnell, 34, from Drogheda, County Louth, can now stand tall for the first time after undergoing the pioneering MAGEC rod operation. The operation, also known as the magnetic expansion control system, involves the insertion of a magnetic rod that is screwed onto the spine and controlled externally in order to correct the curvature caused by scoliosis. Up until now, the £15K procedure has only been performed on children, as it was thought only to be effective for early onset scoliosis - typically diagnosed before the age of ten.
STRETCHING his little legs in the air, a smiley leaf-tailed gecko breaks free from his old, scaly skin .
THEIR gnarling teeth at the ready, these two baboons fight it out for the last piece of fruit .
A Canadian photographer has captured crystal clear mirror images of Toronto's architecture reflected in puddles - simply by using his iPhone .
A German photographer travelled around Africa where he met and photographed members of tribes in a series of intimate portraits .
An NHS 111 call handler who was forced to save her own life after contracting sepsis has walked down the aisle at her dream wedding .
The aurora lights captured in Blair Nebraska, America - WITH electrifying purple and illuminous green brightening up the night sky, this is the rare moment a flash of 'sprite' lightening was captured on camera .
At first glance it might look like someone has taken their revenge on the makers of those infuriating insurance ads .
THIS incredible shimmer of silver fish mirrors the image of that of an underwater tornado .
A little caterpillar fearlessly scampers down a branch and confronts a praying mantis .
WELCOME to the real Frankenstein's lab where carefully pickled creatures are left to stew in jars .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .
A woman was diagnosed with cancer after a cyst left her so bloated medics were convinced she was pregnant .