Twins' Book Series: Behind Their Popularity and Beyond Their Pages/Twin Research Reviews: Twinning in Low-Income Countries; Oxytocin During Twin Pregnancies; Male-Female Twins and Preeclampsia; Loss of a Twin From the Controversial 1960s New York City Twin Study/Human Interest: Monozygotic Quadruplets Conceived Naturally; Twins of Cleopatra and Mark Antony; Star Basketball Player is a Twin; Twin Stabbed at Track Meet; Another Twin Hostage in Gaza Revealed.

Abstract

Twins have been popular figures in many fictional works. A review of two well-known twin-based series, and why they fascinate, is presented. This summary is followed by reviews of twinning in low-income countries, oxytocin administration during twin pregnancies, male-female twins and maternal risk of preeclampsia, and the loss of a twin from the controversial 1960s New York City twin study. The final part of this column covers human interest stories involving twins, specifically a monozygotic quadruplet set conceived naturally, the twins born to Cleopatra and Mark Antony, a star basketball player with a twin brother, a twin stabbed at a track meet, and the revelation of another twin hostage held in Gaza.