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.
LEAPING for joy five-feet above the waves this baby whale cutie is saying HELLO to its family after being lost .
BLOWING bubbles underwater, this adorable polar bear slides into his tank for a playful dip .
A man who conned tax officials out of £34 million and funded a lavish lifestyle of luxury hotels and restaurants has been jailed for one of the longest sentences in British criminal fraud history .
NEVER mind being careful not to choke on your food, this mother bird has a bigger challenge on her hands, as her ravenous offspring impatiently launches its head down into her stomach .
SQUABBLING over the last piece of grain, these hungry squirrels are determined to stock up on as much food as possible .
A curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
From vivid greens to glowing pinks, the colours of the aurora borealis fill the night sky above a snow covered Lapland .
TUGGING at his exhausted mum's ears, a beautiful baby orangutan refuses to settle for a nap as he begins a game of peek-a-boo .
From squids to Star Wars, these flipping marvellous creations are pancake portraits .
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
This frozen lighthouse in Michigan could easily be mistaken for a still from the snow swept disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .