What I find a little odd about this is you need to complete a circuit to have current flow. The risers here only have the 12V connection. That means the current for the circuit is still flowing through the motherboard; although, only in one direction. Why not make the 0V connection? It's almost as if the jobs only half done. Although I suppose it reduces motherboard problems by 1/2.
Anyone have an idea about why 1 wire is enough? Where is the current from the one 12V wire being pulled down to? Is it just being distributed across a bunch of data lines and that's why it's ok?