scholarly journals Musical Interests and Talent: Twin Jazz Musicians and Twin Studies/Twin Research: Loss of a Preterm Multiple; Conjoined Twin Conception; Depression in Fathers of Twins; Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome/Twin News: High-Achieving Twins; Twin Children of a Tennis Star; Conjoined Twin Separation; Twin Delivery to a Giant Panda

2017 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Giant Panda ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Conjoined Twins ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
High Achieving ◽  
Twin Children ◽  
Musical Interests

Findings from twin studies of musical interests and talent are reviewed as a backdrop to the lives and careers of twin jazz musicians, Peter and Will Anderson. The Anderson twins exemplify many aspects of twin research, namely their matched musical abilities, shared musical interests, and common career. This overview is followed by reviews of studies and case reports of bereavement in families who have lost a preterm multiple birth infant, the conception of conjoined twins following in vitro fertilization (IVF), depression in fathers of twins, and twin-to-twin transfusion incidence in monochorionic-diamniotic IVF twin pairs. Twins highlighted in the media include high-achieving identical female twins with nearly identical academic standing, tennis star Roger Federer's two sets of identical twin children, surgical separation of craniopagus conjoined twins, and the rare delivery of twins to a 23-year-old giant panda.

scholarly journals Tribute to Dr Louis Keith: Twin and Physician Extraordinaire/Twin Research Reports: Influences on Asthma Severity; Chimerism Revisited; DNA Strand Break Repair/Media Reports: Twins Born Apart; Elevated Twin Frequencies; Celebrity Father of Twins; Conjoined Twinning

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 494-497
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Twin Studies ◽  
Asthma Severity ◽  
Strand Break ◽  
Conjoined Twins ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
Dna Strand Break ◽  
Repair Mechanisms ◽  
Media Reports ◽  
Dna Strand

The International Society for Twin Studies has lost a valued friend and colleague. Dr Louis Keith, Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University, in Chicago, passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2014. His life and work with twins will be acknowledged at the November 2014 International Twin Congress in Budapest, Hungary. Next, twin research reports on the severity of asthma symptoms, a case of chimerism, and factors affecting DNA breakage and repair mechanisms are reviewed. Media reports cover twins born apart, elevated twin frequencies, a celebrity father of twins, and a family's decision to keep conjoined twins together.

scholarly journals Insights From Twin Research: Conference at Royal Childrens Hospital, Melbourne, Australia / Twin Studies: Timing of Monozygotic Splitting and Commentary; Gestational Diabetes; ICOMBO’S Post-Partum Depression Study; Photographs of Conjoined Twins / Human Interest: Rare Quadruplets; Mistaken Identity on the Soccer Field; Prenatal Laser Surgery on Triplets; Twins Born to Prince and Princess of Monaco

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Laser Surgery ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Conjoined Twins ◽  
General Interest ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
Post Partum Depression ◽  
Mistaken Identity ◽  
Soccer Field

Highlights from a conference, ‘Healthier Kids: Insights From Twin Research’, held in Melbourne, Australia on December 5, 2014, are summarized. In addition to informative and exciting presentations and discussions of recent findings, three key themes emerged: (1) results from twin research have important implications for non-twins, (2) researchers from diverse disciplines should be encouraged to participate actively in twin research, and (3) investigators, twins and families need to work more collaboratively. Next, papers and studies concerning the biological bases of monozygotic (MZ) twinning, gestational diabetes and post-partum depression are reviewed. Finally, general interest reports of rare quadruplets, mistaken identity, prenatal laser surgery and a royal twin birth are provided.

Australian Twin Registry: A Nationally Funded Resource for Medical and Scientific Research, Incorporating match and WATCH

2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 707-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
John L. Hopper ◽  
Susan A. Treloar ◽  
Nicholas H. de Klerk ◽  
Ruth Morley
Keyword(s):  
Mission Statement ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Multiple Gestation ◽  
Twin Registry ◽  
Baseline Information ◽  
Twin Children ◽  
Western Australian

AbstractThe Australian Twin Registry (ATR) has, since the late 1970s, enrolled more than 30,000 pairs of all zygosity types and ages willing to consider participation in approved research studies. Its core functions are the recruitment to, and maintenance of, an up-to-date database containing contact details and baseline information, and the management of fair and equitable access so as to enhance medical and scientific research. The ATR has facilitated more than 430 studies producing 525 peer-reviewed publications using a variety of designs including classic biometrical twin and twin family studies, co-twin control studies, intervention studies, longitudinal studies, and studies of issues relevant specifically to twins. The ATR is supported for 2004 to 2009 by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Enabling Grant, a new form of funding which recognizes the importance of long-term support for shared national resources. New initiatives include: integration with the Western Australian Twin Child Health (WATCH) cohort and the new Western Australian Twin Registry (WATR); foundation of a cohort of mothers and their twin children recruited from the time of diagnosis of the multiple gestation (match); a national Twins Festival run in collaboration with the Australian Multiple Birth Association (AMBA); promotion of the ATR at medical conferences; and fostering an active network of researchers from a range of disciplines and providing financial support for new researchers to attend international twin research workshops. Consistent with its mission statement, the long-term goal of the ATR is to make twin studies a standard component of medical and scientific research.

scholarly journals Twin Studies of Multiple Myeloma / Research Reviews and News: Critique of Twin Research; Opposite-Sex Twins and Sexual Attraction; Twinning Rates and Assisted Reproductive Technology; Family History of Multiple Implantation / Human Interest: Book Party: Born Together — Reared Apart; Morning Sickness and Twins; Sexuality in Conjoined Twins; Kofi Annan: Opposite-Sex Twin; Switched at Birth

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 645-649
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Assisted Reproductive Technology ◽  
Sexual Attraction ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Conjoined Twins ◽  
Reproductive Technology ◽  
Morning Sickness ◽  
Human Interest ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
Opposite Sex

A foundation for studying multiple myeloma, launched by a monozygotic twin, is described. Twin studies of that disease are also examined. A summary of selected research studies and news events follows, with specific reference to a new critique of twin research, sexual attraction in separated opposite-sex twins, twinning rates following assisted reproductive technology and family histories of multiple implantation. Human interest topics cover a gathering of researchers from the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, morning sickness and twin pregnancy, sexuality in conjoined twins, a famous hidden twin, and a film about switched at birth babies.

scholarly journals Population-Based Research: Breastfeeding Multiple Birth Infants / Twin Research Reviews and News: Perceived Aging in Twins; Separation of Conjoined Twins; School Placement Legislation / Twins in Education, Fashion and Humanitarian Events

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 217-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Population Based ◽  
Conjoined Twins ◽  
Fashion Design ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Maternal Factors ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
School Placement ◽  
Duration Of Breastfeeding

AbstractThe health benefits of breastfeeding are well known. However, less is known about the frequency and duration of breastfeeding in twins. A population-based study of maternal factors associated with the early cessation of breastfeeding in preterm and term twins is reviewed. This is followed by research reviews and news concerning aging in twins, conjoined twin separation and school legislation for multiple birth children. Twins and quadruplets who have distinguished themselves in the areas of education, fashion design and humanitarian efforts are highlighted.

scholarly journals Twins Working Together: Collaboration or Contest/Twin Research: Molar Pregnancy; Social Support; Conjoined Twins; Immune Discordance/Headlines: Twin Politicians; Multiple Birth Marriages; Guinness World Record; Museum of Memory and Human Rights (Santiago, Chile)

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 563-569 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Conjoined Twins ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Molar Pregnancy ◽  
World Record ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
Social Closeness ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Mz Twins

Twin research has found genetic influence underlying vocational interests, work values, and job satisfaction. In addition, numerous studies have shown that monozygotic (MZ) twins generally display greater within-pair cooperation and social closeness than dizygotic (DZ) twins. These findings are illuminated by exploring the occupational histories of two female twin pairs, one set MZ and the other set DZ. This is followed by a review of timely twin-based research reports on molar pregnancy, social support, conjoined twinning, and immune discordance. Finally, news items regarding identical twin politicians, multiple birth marriages, a new Guinness World Record for twins, and a twin-family story from the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago, Chile are both interesting and informative.

scholarly journals Terminating Twins: Survival of One/Twin Research Reviews: Twin Discordance for Primordial Dwarfism; Twin Study of Public Service Motivation; Four-Parameter Model for Twin Research; Global Twinning at a Peak; Germline Differences of Monozygotic Twins/In the News: Twins and Dyngus Day; Triplets Born in Austrian Displaced Persons’ Camp; Superior, Film About Estranged Identical Twin Sisters; Adopting Own Twins After Surrogacy; Twins and Primordial Dwarfism Revisited

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Public Service ◽  
Monozygotic Twins ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Public Service Motivation ◽  
Identical Twin ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Displaced Persons ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
The Family ◽  
Primordial Dwarfism

Abstract Selective termination is the term used for the elimination of an abnormal fetus. In contrast, multifetal pregnancy reduction refers to the termination of one or more members of a twin or higher-order multiple birth set, respectively, to reduce the high risks associated with these pregnancies. The procedure can also be used when a serious physical condition is detected prenatally in a member of a multiple birth set. In a minority of cases, selective termination has reduced two healthy fetuses to one when parents wanted just one additional child in the family. In the present article, the perspectives of a surviving twin whose family wished to terminate both healthy fetuses are examined. Next, past and present twin studies of primordial dwarfism, public service motivation, an analytical model, the global twinning rate and germline differences are summarized. The article concludes with a synopsis of twin-related news that covers twins and Dyngus Day, triplets born in an Austrian displaced persons’ camp, the film Superior — about estranged identical twin sisters, a couple adopting their own twins after surrogacy and a new case of twins and primordial dwarfism, a condition introduced in the research reviews.

‘Are You Asking Me If We Had Sex To Conceive?’ To Whom Do Parents Of Twins Disclose Mode Of Conception and What Do They Feel About Being Asked?

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 886-891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Supriya Raj ◽  
Ruth Morley
Keyword(s):  
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection ◽  
Twin Pregnancy ◽  
In Vitro Fertilisation ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer ◽  
Assisted Conception ◽  
Donor Sperm ◽  
Twin Children ◽  
Donor Eggs

AbstractThere are no data on whether parents of twins will disclose mode of conception to researchers or to their children, who will be informants in adulthood. We sent 1600 questionnaires about this via the Victorian branch of the Australian Multiple Birth Association, to be returned anonymously. Parents were asked how their twins were conceived and whether those who used assisted conception would disclose this to researchers studying assisted conception, twin pregnancy or twin children, or to their children. Comments were invited. Altogether 975 (61%) questionnaires were returned and 389 (40%) indicated use of some form of assisted conception: 75 (19%) ovarian stimulation alone, 165 (42%) In Vitro Fertilisation, 132 (34%) Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, and 17 (4%) Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer, with 20 reporting use of donor eggs and thirteen donor sperm. Of those using assisted conception, the proportion reporting that they would not, or may not, tell researchers was 5% for assisted conception studies, 6% for twin pregnancy studies, and 7% for studies of twin children, while 7% reported that they would not, or may not, tell their children. From the comments (from 374/975; 38%) it was clear that questions about mode of conception can be offensive to some parents of twins, unless there is a need to know. Further, the question ‘are your twins natural?’ should be avoided. We believe the question ‘Did you need medical help to conceive your twins’, followed up with specific questions, is more acceptable.

scholarly journals Twin Research and the Arts: Interconnections / Twin Research: Twin Studies of Sexual Orientation; A Historical Biological Twin Gem; GWAS Approach to Who Has Twins / Newsworthy: Twins on College Campuses; ‘Brainprint’: Personal Identification by Brain Waves

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-401
Author(s):  
Nancy L. Segal
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Personal Identification ◽  
Multiple Birth ◽  
Theatrical Production ◽  
Twin Research ◽  
Brain Waves ◽  
The Arts ◽  
The 1960S

The interrelatedness between twin research and the arts is explored via a new play about a famous case. In the 1960s, identical twin David Bruce Reimer was accidentally castrated as an infant during circumcision to correct a urinary problem. The decision to raise him as a girl, and the consequences of that decision, are explored in the new theatrical production of Boy. Other examples of the arts mirroring science, and vice versa, are described. Next, brief reviews and summaries of twin research on sexual orientation, 1860s’ knowledge of placental arrangements and twinning mechanisms, and genes underlying multiple birth conception and fertility related measures are provided. This article concludes with a look at twins on college campuses and the identification of individuals by their brain waves. A correction and clarification regarding my article on the Brazilian Twin Registry in the last issue of THG (Segal, 2016) is also provided.

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