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.
A BIKINI swim with jellyfish sounds like the most painful past-time on the planet .
FULLY equipped with a kitchen and lounge, it's hard to believe this modern holiday let is actually a BUS .
A quiet Himalayan mountain village springs to life for a colourful Buddhist festival designed to expel evil spirits and bring happiness .
An Indonesian farmer is dragged through muddy water as he clings to the tails of two charging cows .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
WITH LUSH GREEN LANDSCAPES stretching out as far as the eye can see, you're in for a treat at these one of a kind treehouses .
LUMINOUS green rocks could easily be a beach from Superman's homeland of Krypton .
TRYING their best to wriggle away, three adorable tiger cubs receive their health checks at Chester Zoo .
A cheeky gorilla sticks her tongue out and plays up for the camera at Bronx Zoo .
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 .
BOXING DAY has come early for this pair of feisty squirrels, as their Christmas party quickly turns sour .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .