Sure it's been the lead story on CNN and a big story on Gawker, but there just wasn't enough DIY mechanics or cellphone-related mayhem for us to pounce on this little gem. As a dad, I don't like seeing shit like this, but knowing there's a happy ending made it a bit easier to view. Oops, did I give too much away? [Gawker]

Hairband balladeers from the roaring '80s will be disappointed to learn that holes in the heart previously only able to be filled by some girl who is already dating some other guy can now be filled by a patch made of stem cells. As for the rest of us, we naturally assumed that if stem cells could give Christopher "Butthole" Reeve real Superman strength and build replica's of Shakey's Pizza, well, of course they can patch heart holes. [PopSci]

By March of next year, many British police officers will be handed a smartphone in order to maintain communication while increasing time in the field. It may work, assuming they block like a million distractions. Frankly, the only reason I wanted to even mention this in Remainders was to remind the world of that stroke of British police genius, Hot Fuzz, through Photoshop. It was that or an image of the gmilfy Prime Suspect herself, Helen Mirren. Did I choose wrong? [BBC via Engadget]

Science produces explanations great and small, and finally got around to one we've been waiting for since Heinrich "Coca" Cola invented the fizzy beverage: Why do we love the carbonation? Everyone used to think it was the exploding carbonation bubbles, but sure enough, it's the carbon dioxide itself—you listening, Al Gore???—that sends a message to open up the sour taste buds, delivering a genuine flavor change. Sure, it's not gadget news, but now, when you head out to the bars, you can order beer in the name of science. [Daily Mail UK]

It's because when you get the Mentos wet, their pitted candy surface starts to dissolve. And without a surface that's covered with thousands of little pits, there's nowhere for the carbon dioxide to go, which is what creates the fizz. Instead, you just have a gross soda. Too bad! Pretty amazing that it took this long for someone to actually try this prank, eh? [Steve Spangler Science]

The machine is more technologically complex than you'd imagine. The "PurePour" technology was originally developed to measure extremely precise amounts of dialysis and cancer drugs. Beyond that, RFID scanners are used to match cartridges to dispensers, and the onboard computer confirms everything is in place. Existing soda fountains use five-gallon concentrate bags and lots of backroom labor. Now all that is required is a highly concentrated 46-ounce cartridge inside a self-contained machine.

Using a touchscreen UI, customers can navigate through the dizzying array of sodas, flavored waters, energy drinks and other beverages in what appears to be a fairly straightforward way. The machines are currently being tested in Georgia, California, and Utah, but Coca-Cola plans to roll out 60 additional dispensers across the country by the end of the summer. [Fast Company]

Who or what could have touched the top of the can I am currently putting my lips to? Seriously, I can barely drink this now. *Slurp* I'm mortified beyond belief. At any rate, the idea behind the Cole Cleaner is much like any other UV gadget on the market—zap the germs into oblivion with a cleansing radiation bath. To be honest, I'm surprised this concept doesn't already exist. [Yanko]

Some IMPORTANT historical facts:

• Coors spent two years developing the aluminum can.
• Before aluminum cans, the tin can had been in use since the 1800s. It used lead in the seams.
• Tin can beer tasted even worse than canned beer now, as the cans were not easily pre-cleaned, thereby requiring the beer be pasteurized.
• Aluminum cans were the first cans to be feasibly recycled while also lowering shipping costs.
• Coors Light, available in cans, is the preferred beer of resident foodie Wilson Rothman. On his Facebook page alone, he has a collection of eight identical Coors Light gifts.

Happy Birthday, aluminum can. I raise my glass and/or bottle to you. [Rocky Mountain News via Consumerist]

I'll be honest—the Soda Cup may not have the same quirky appeal as the Hamburger, but it has stealth on its side. Like Joel over at BoingBoing Gadgets mentioned, you'd never know it was a phone if not for the cord (note to manufacturer: make cordless model next year. thx.). The Hamburger would never fool anyone, because a real hamburger would never, ever look plasticky. So if you really wanna throw someone for a loop, you can answer the Soda Cup when it rings, and they'll totally think you've been dropping acid.

Also, at $14, you're paying a dollar less. THAT'S A DEAL! [Soda Cup Phone via Gadgets Alerts via BB Gadgets]

In The First 10 minutes: 10 teaspoons of sugar hit your system. (100% of your recommended daily intake.) You don't immediately vomit from the overwhelming sweetness because phosphoric acid cuts the flavor allowing you to keep it down.

20 minutes: Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get it's hands on into fat. (There's plenty of that at this particular moment)

What happens to your body if you drink a Coke right now? [via Core77]

Apple should do the same for their upcoming Leopard launch. But instead of Lemon-Lime, they should pick a more obvious flavor—grape. – Jason Chen

The Insider: Microsoft rolls out Windows Vista, the soft drink [Seattle PI via Sagags]

Ipfini offers the ability to program your soda with up to 32 different combinations. The patent-pending bottle design has aroma, flavor and color buttons on the side. The bottle is filled with basic carbonated high-fructose water and the user hits additives to taste. For instance, press the cherry flavor button and add the lime smell. One can only assume you shake the bottle vigorously to mix and then hand it to an unsuspecting cow-orker and enjoy the show. After hearing it was programmable, the obvious questions arose: where are the caffeine buttons and will it run Linux?

Customizable Soda [The Raw Feed]