Rare case: Woman gives birth to twins from different fathersPhoto by Hannah Barata on Pexels
ScienceCoimbra

Rare case: Woman gives birth to twins from different fathers

Notícias de Coimbra28 August 2026 at 19:32

A 27-year-old woman gave birth to twins with different biological fathers, in a case considered unprecedented in Australia. This extremely rare phenomenon occurs when a woman releases two eggs during the same menstrual cycle and has sexual intercourse with two different men in a short span of time.

The case became public after DNA tests were carried out during the legal registration of the babies, which revealed that each twin had a different father. The situation generated surprise both in the medical community and among the general public.

This type of occurrence, known as heteropaternal superfecundation, is so uncommon that many health professionals never encounter a similar case throughout their entire career. The odds of it happening are estimated in the millions to one.

The Australian case sparked international media interest and raises questions about the importance of genetic testing for the purposes of registration and legal documentation of paternity.

Related articles

Caso Lindsay Clancy: "A minha primeira empatia vai para estas crianças"Photo by Emilio Pedral on Pexels
Science

Lindsay Clancy Case: "My first empathy goes to these children"

Joana Amaral Dias commented on the Lindsay Clancy case, expressing deep empathy for the children involved, and explained the medical and psychiatric complexity associated with postpartum psychosis episodes, using historical and recent cases in Portugal to illustrate the severity and particularities of this condition.

Now28/08/26, 20:28
Águas portuguesas têm 231 espécies invasoras: cinco nunca tinham sido registadasPhoto by Sandra Mosconi on Pexels
Science

Portuguese waters have 231 invasive species: five had never been recorded before

A new study identified 231 non-indigenous marine species in Portuguese waters, including five that had never been previously recorded. The research alerts to the impact of these invasive species on local marine biodiversity and Portugal's coastal ecosystems.

Notícias de Coimbra28/08/26, 19:56
Que espécie é esta: escorpiãoPhoto by Ravi Kant on Pexels
Science

What species is this: scorpion

A reader photographed a scorpion in Águas, Penamacor, Portugal, and asked for help identifying the species. Expert Pedro Sousa identified the animal as belonging to the genus Buthus, probably the species Buthus halius. This is a common species in Portugal, especially in warm and dry areas, with nocturnal habits, that feeds on insects and other invertebrates. Regarding dangerousness, the sting is painful but generally only poses a risk for people with allergies to the venom, young children, elderly people, or people with weakened health.

Wilder28/08/26, 19:17
MARE divulga estudo sobre espécies invasoras em águas portuguesas; 62 estão confirmadas nas águas da RAMPhoto by Fran Augusto on Pexels
Science

MARE discloses study on invasive species in Portuguese waters; 62 confirmed in RAM waters

A study by MARE – Center for Marine and Environmental Sciences and ARNET – Aquatic Research Network, published in the scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin, raised to 231 the number of invasive species confirmed in Portuguese waters, with 62 of these species present in the waters of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. The study, which represents the most complete update ever carried out on the topic, was led by researchers from these institutions and aims to better understand the spread of invasive marine species on the Portuguese coast.

Funchal Notícias28/08/26, 18:58