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.
GIANT garden sculptures don't beat about the bush .
BEAUTIFULLY lit by the dim glow of lanterns, a cave in Iceland is transformed into the perfect wedding venue .
SWIMMING slowly towards the shore, a small group of bottlenose dolphins arrive for breakfast at a beach in Western Australia .
Magical photos of your baby smiling for the first time are a priceless treasure for many a proud parent .
A lazy otter finds the ideal spot to soak up the sun and sleep off his lunch .
Kevin Silva, 52 from Indiana in the USA, has spent an estimated £65K ($100K) on Batman trinkets over the years, and even keeps his 2,500-item haul in his very own basement 'Bat Cave' .
These are the amazing close up pictures of North Korea's mass games - after photographers were previously banned from taking shots so close to the dazzling formation dances .
A Romanian photographer has captured the unique patterns of hundreds of human eyes in a series of striking macro shots .
GETTING behind the camera, this monkey practices his photography skills on his friends .
WITH SNOW COVERING the ground around them, these two polar bears play fight .
A photographer has captured stunning photographs of the Milky Way above picturesque landscapes in the UK and Italy .
ARMED with her camera, bikini and flippers, this brave diver goes swimming with SHARKS .