Dinosaur Lips, Laughing Gas Legislation and Daylight Saving Health Effects | The Naked Scientists

In this Naked Scientists episode we explore a surprising idea about Tyrannosaurus lips, review debates over laughing gas regulation, examine how daylight saving time affects health, and consider how space relates to love and Arctic microbes. The show blends paleobiology, neuroscience, psychology and microbiology in accessible explanations.

• Dinosaurs may have had lips covering their teeth, reshaping long held images of T. rex.
• Nitrous oxide regulation is debated in relation to safety and harm, including vitamin B12 deficiency risks.
• Time changes linked to heart attacks, strokes and accidents with implications for policy.
• Love may be influenced by proximity and exposure, according to new research.
• Ancient cyanobacteria from the Challenger expedition provide DNA insights into Arctic microbial history.

Dinosaur Lips in Tyrannosaurus

The podcast opens with a discussion led by The Naked Scientists about how we reconstruct dinosaurs from fossils. Thomas Cullen and team propose that Tyrannosaurus type dinosaurs likely had lips that concealed their teeth. This conclusion comes from comparing fossil enamel wear in Tyrannosaur teeth to that of alligators and modern lip covered reptiles, showing interior enamel measurements similar to lips covered species rather than exposed-to-air crocodilians. To test the idea, the researchers examined functional teeth from jaw specimens and also compared large tooth scaling with skull size against monitor lizards known to have lips. The enamel thickness is consistent with lip coverage, which would help protect enamel hydration and durability. The findings support moving away from textbook crocodile‑like depictions toward reconstructions with lips, aligning artistic reconstructions with available evidence. The study was published in Science.

Nitrous Oxide Regulation and Harms

The program then turns to policy and public health concerns surrounding nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. A new government proposal intends to criminalise possession of nitrous oxide, citing antisocial behavior concerns such as littering parks with canisters. The interview with David Nutt and Imperial College London colleagues explains what laughing gas does in the brain. While it rapidly alters consciousness and reduces perceived stress, effects are transient and generally safe with medical use as an anesthetic and in childbirth. The discussion highlights that the harms are dose related and that past policy shifts, such as banning small canisters, have unintentionally increased risk by pushing users toward larger, more potent canisters, raising instances of neuropathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency. The speakers argue for harm reduction and careful consideration of policy implications rather than blanket criminalisation.

Clocks and Health

The episode then covers the health consequences of daylight saving time, including a 344 price tag on happiness due to clock changes. Evidence suggests spring clock shifts lift heart attack rates and stroke incidence, while evening light exposure influences physical activity in youth. The brain’s master clock uses light signals to synchronize body rhythms, and even small time shifts can disrupt metabolism and cellular timing in susceptible individuals. The host calls for reassessment of seasonal time changes in light of accumulating health data and policy considerations.

Love, Geography and Social Science

Next, Viren Swami discusses the geography of love, proposing that proximity and repeated exposure influence attraction. The conversation covers social unit theory, cognitive fluency for familiar faces, and mere exposure effects, challenging the notion of a single “one.” The discussion notes that while love is a human experience with unique depth, proximity and regular interaction increase likelihood of forming meaningful connections. The podcast also touches on social dynamics and practical advice for singles seeking compatible partners, with a focus on moving closer to potential matches over time.

Arctic Cyanobacteria and Microbial History

The final segment features Anna Jungblut of the Natural History Museum describing ancient cyanobacteria samples from the Challenger expedition stored in London. Researchers extracted DNA from dried cyanobacterial material, reconstructed genomes, and compared them with modern Arctic samples. Results show some species persist in polar regions and may be sensitive to warming and ice loss. The genomes reveal biosynthetic capabilities and nutrient fixation pathways, suggesting potential for new medical compounds. The researchers emphasize monitoring for invasive species and disease threats, and highlight the Last Ice Area as a priority for conservation and study. The episode closes by pointing listeners to NHM resources and previews a future exploration of life in the wider universe.

Conclusion

The Naked Scientists wrap with credits and a note that the program is produced in Cambridge and supported by local partners, inviting listeners to stay curious about ongoing scientific discoveries across biology, medicine and ecology.