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.
Ashlee, 20, has always known that she was supposed to be a girl .
As sunlight cascades through its vibrant stained glass windows, every inch of the Nasir-ol-Mulk Mosque bursts with colour .
Leaping out of the ocean, a group of gentoo penguins fly through the air before landing safely on an iceberg .
Staring death in the face, a little field mouse bravely confronts a hungry cat .
SQUEEZING their furry faces through a hole in a tree, a trio of curious baby squirrels leave their nest for the first time to explore their surroundings .
WELCOME to the 125 decibel boombox bus that could damage your hearing if you party too close to its giant speakers .
A woman was diagnosed with cancer after a cyst left her so bloated medics were convinced she was pregnant .
Red squirrels are well known for their intelligence and curiosity but when one snapper caught this furry little guy trying to take his own self-portrait he couldn't help but be taken aback .
ROLLING around in the snow, these young brown bears take a break from their play fight to share a tender hug with one another .
AT first glance these images could easily be mistaken for photographs, but they are in-fact real life drawings created using nothing but coloured pencils .
A woman left disfigured and traumatised by an addiction to lip filler injections has issued a warning to others searching for the perfect pout after the plastic chemicals nearly killed her .
FROM ICE bubbles to boiling lava, these photographs highlight the stunning shapes and patterns found in nature .