Elsevier Book Sheds New Light on the Origins and Development of Identical and Fraternal Twins

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Mar 20, 2017, 07:04 ET

CAMBRIDGE, Massachusetts, March 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

"Twin Mythconceptions" separates fact from fiction using the latest scientific findings from psychology, psychiatry, biology and education

Exploring over 70 myths commonly held about identical and fraternal twins, Elsevier's new book by Dr. Nancy L. Segal separates fact from fiction.

Twin Mythconceptions: False Beliefs, Fables, and Facts about Twins covers topics of twin telepathy, intellectual growth, marital relationships and sexual orientation, among other topics, by describing the myth, then providing a detailed "debunking" explanation. This informative and entertaining book is an invaluable resource for behavioral and life science researchers (particularly those in psychology and genetics), health professionals, twins, parents of twins and anyone interested in this fascinating subject.

"Identical and fraternal twins offer an extraordinary combination of scientific significance and human interest," says Dr. Segal. "Each pair is a unique take on how we become who we are, explaining why my fascination with twins has only grown stronger over the years."

Dr. Segal has identified the "Top 10" myths or beliefs about twins, which include:

Identical twins can communicate by extrasensory perception or ESP (False)
- There is no scientific evidence that twins exchange thoughts or ideas by reading each other's minds-identical twins' social closeness is better explained by studies showing that their common genes underlie their within-pair communication skills.
Older mothers are more likely to conceive fraternal twins than younger mothers (True)
- Since releasing two eggs at the same time is not typical, this is possibly a reflection of the aging process.
Identical twins have identical fingerprints (False)
- These features, which develop between the 10th and 25th gestational week, are affected by factors such as temperature, intrauterine position and density of amniotic fluid near the fingers.
Your consumption of yams and other dietary choices increase the chances of conceiving fraternal twins (True)
- It is thought that the white yam contains fertility-inducing properties that trick the female body into releasing hormones that promote ovulation--this may partly explain the high fraternal twinning rate among the Yorùbá of western Nigeria.

Dr. Segal is currently Professor of Psychology at California State University, Fullerton and Director of the Twin Studies Center. She has authored more than 200 scientific articles and book chapters, as well as four highly acclaimed books on twins. Dr. Segal received her bachelor's degree in psychology and literature from Boston University, and her master's and doctoral degrees in the social sciences and behavioral sciences from the University of Chicago.

Dr. Segal has received several international awards, including the James Shields Award for Lifetime Contributions to Twin Research (International Society for Twin Studies) and the International Making a Difference Award (Multiple Births Canada). She is also the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Wang Family Excellence Award from California State University.

Read Dr. Segal's recent article on rare twins born to parents of different ethnicity.

In order to meet content needs in psychology, Elsevier uses proprietary tools to identify the gaps in coverage of the topics. Editorial teams strategically fill those gaps with content written by key influencers in the field, giving students, faculty and researchers the content they need to answer challenging questions and improve outcomes. These new books, which will educate the next generation of psychologists, and provide critical foundational content for information professionals, are key examples of how Elsevier is enabling science to drive innovation.

Note for editors

Only credentialed media can request eBook review copies by email, [email protected].

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a global information analytics company that helps institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance for the benefit of humanity. Elsevier provides digital solutions and tools in the areas of strategic research management, R&D performance, clinical decision support, and professional education; including ScienceDirect, Scopus, ClinicalKey and Sherpath. Elsevier publishes over 2,500 digitized journals, including The Lancet and Cell, more than 35,000 e-book titles and many iconic reference works, including Gray's Anatomy. Elsevier is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics to professionals and business customers, in a wide range of industries. www.elsevier.com