TALLAHASSEE (WTXL) - We're talking about bionic limbs, an impressive turtle rescue, and a very scary rite of passage.
First up, meet "Hal” also known as the "Hybrid Assistive Limb." This bionic exo-skeleton has been around for a while--but is now being tested on paralyzed patients in Germany. The goal? To make them walk again. When a person wants to move--the brain sends a signal through the spine to the muscles in the limbs--but with those paralyzed--the signal is too weak. However, "Hal" can actually pick up those weak signals through sensors attached to the patient's skin. Then--it moves the motors in the pelvic and knee regions.
And here's one lucky guy! A group of boaters off the Jersey Shore saw this endangered Leatherback turtle caught in a fishing net and called the coast guard to try to free it. And after a lot of thrashing and struggling, the 800 pound reptile finally went on its way. One of the crew members said that everyone aboard was quote pretty energized about the whole experience.
And finally, when was it that you realized you officially entered adulthood? For tribes in the South Pacific island of "Pentecost" you're not officially a man until you jump off a 100 foot tall wooden tower attached only to a vine. National Geographic sent a crew to document the ancient tradition of "land diving". And yes, sometimes the vine does break and those jumping have broken their collar bones and even their hips.
