Overnight Open Thread 05/09/16 - [Niedermeyer's Dead Horse]

Welcome to the potpourri version of the ONT where the guest-COB is too lazy to think of a theme for the night.

I spent a couple of hours this afternoon watching The Weather Channel and a livestream, concurrently, of the wild weather in Oklahoma. Unfortunately, one elderly man lost his life and a number of homes and livestock were lost.

Despite the sad stories that inevitably arise from such storms, I can't imagine how many lives have been saved since the invention of Doppler radar. The number must be significant.

Today's storms come on the heels of some major tornadic activity, just a couple of days ago, near Wray, Colorado. This guy has provided some spectacular footage by getting oh-too-close for comfort.

The video in this first tweet is a 360 vid so just grab the video and drag it to change the perspective.

This second video is shot straight on. No fancy dragging of the video required.

It's simply breathtaking.

I wouldn't recommend trying this at home.

It's only fair that I follow up such horrible acts of nature with something much sweeter, so how about one of the cutest (and fastest) kittens on wheels?

Everybody now! D'awww!

Here's a pretty cool invention that I could actually get on board with.

GeoOrbital's creators had previously worked at SpaceX and Ford, companies that know a thing or two about renovating traditional transportation. The device replaces the front wheel in bikes with 26-inch or 700c (28-inch/29-inch) size tires; either way, its proprietary foam wheel won't get a flat when punctured. Additionally, its lithium-ion battery boosts your bike up to 20mph for up to 50 miles, has a USB port to charge your devices while you ride, and recharges as you pedal, brake, or coast downhill.

And this is one of the more idiotic inventions I've ever seen:

It's like one of those games where you have to spot the things that are out of place. How many different things can you find that are wrong with this product?

Okay. Time for more cuteness.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has another terrific live-cam set up now: The Black-Footed Ferret cam. These creatures are nocturnal so we should be able to see them in action tonight.

Look how cute. (Click the link above to watch the live-cam view.)

What the heck! Let's toss some medical stuff in here too.

This is what a beating heart looks like when it's outside one's chest.

Fascinating.

And here's a breakthrough that might make you shed a tear of joy.

A pacemaker-like device implanted in the chest of a Parkinson's patient sends electrical signals to the brain and stops tremors in seconds.

While it doesn't cure Parkinson's, it does greatly improve the quality of life for sufferers of the wretched disease.

Medtronic's DBS therapy uses a surgically implanted medical device, similar to a cardiac pacemaker, to deliver electrical stimulation to precisely targeted areas of the brain to reduce some of the disabling motor symptoms and improve quality of life, activities of daily living and reduce medication usage for individuals living with Parkinson's disease. Dr. Calegan and board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. Paul J. Waguespack were the first physicians in the Baton Rouge area to offer this innovative procedure, launching The NeuroMedical Center's Deep Brain Stimulation Program in 2007. Both Drs. Calegan and Waguespack also have degrees in engineering, so they feel very comfortable combining innovative technology with medicine. To date, over 250 patients have benefited from DBS therapy performed at The NeuroMedical Center. Now, due to the success of the DBS program, The NeuroMedical Center has expanded to 3 board-certified neurologists as well as a neurosurgeon who specialize in movement disorders and DBS.

Here's a video of the device in action. The look of surprise and relief on his face brought me to tears.

God Bless those who toiled to create this remarkable device.

Tonight's ONT brought to you by this reminder of what could have been. (H/T John Rivers)

Now, in the words of the world's most trusted news anchor, Goodnight, and have a pleasant tomorrow.

posted by Open Blogger at 09:59 PM

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