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.
CAMPED out in the middle of a forest, these unusual hut hotels take you back to basics .
DIVING down at a speed of 75mph, this is the moment a hungry osprey caught his prey .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
The gunslingers are long gone and tumbleweeds have taken over at this abandoned American Wild West Theme Park in Cornwall .
Gigantic 100ft waves create the perfect playground for dare-devil surfers from across the world .
A striped marlin means business as it spots lunch and spears a small fish .
MAKING himself at home, this little snail perches happily on top of this frog's head .
VIBRANT bursts of colour fill the screen as beautiful flowers blossom in these time-lapse videos .
A project to create an underwater tribute to the stone Moai statues of Easter Island ended in disaster when 15 replica structures were destroyed after toppling from a boat and into the sea .
SWIMMING in unison, millions of silverside fish dwarf the divers .
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
FROM motorcycling to department store shopping these spookily faceless people are part of the Chinese-fad for wearing protective solar-visors in public .