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.
WITHOUT a care in the world, this little chimpanzee shows off her gymnastic skills as she swings around her enclosure .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
AN ADORABLE one-eyed kitten has been dubbed the 'pirate cat' because of his pirate-like facial expressions .
Some will get up close and personal with Mother Nature’s deadliest animals to get the perfect shot, posing the question, what lengths will a photographer go to for that all important picture? But in this case, the question should be what depths .
Southern England, the south-west and west Wales have been warned to expect more wild weather, with heavy rain and high tides possibly leading to coastal flooding and travel disruption over the weekend .
WELCOME to what could be the world's tallest TOTALLY wooden construction .
This starling and prairie dog will not back down an inch as they have a fearsome stand-off over who gets to eat a nut .
A BEAUTIFUL sight for the eyes and the imagination, these liquid sculptures take shape in many different colours and formations .
MEET the underwater British seal who is so friendly he loves to grapple divers like a friendly puppy dog .
A cheeky gorilla sticks her tongue out and plays up for the camera at Bronx Zoo .
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
With the vivid red smoke billowing into the sky amid the misty sand dunes, these are the blissful views provided at the break of dawn at a volcano .