Published: Oct. 21, 2016

Research at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä encompasses thousands of scholarly, scientific and creative endeavors at any given time, resulting in new knowledge, technologies and creative work that advance the economy, culture and health of Colorado, the nation and the world. This week's top research stories include a potential breakthrough for future diagnosis and treatment of fibromyalgia, findings from the MAVEN mission and a professor's appearance in a new documentary on the criminal justice center.

Annual research report highlights Grand Challenge and other inspiring work

The Research & Innovation Office, previously the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, creates impact by cultivating and supporting collaboration, transformation and leadership across ²ÊÃñ±¦µä. TheÌýrecently releasedÌýÌýincludes an array of research highlights from fiscal 2015-16. Among the highlights is ²ÊÃñ±¦µä's Grand Challenge:ÌýOur Space. Our Future.ÌýThis cross disciplinary initiativeÌýcombines ²ÊÃñ±¦µä’s strengths in earth and space sciences with those of industry partners to forge solutions to environmental problems.

Neural signature for fibromyalgia may aid diagnosis, treatment

²ÊÃñ±¦µä researchers have discovered a brain signature that identifies fibromyalgia sufferers with 93 percent accuracy, a potential breakthrough for future clinical diagnosis and treatment of the highly prevalent condition.

Fibromyalgia is commonly defined as chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety and mood disorders. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that fibromyalgia affects more than five million adults annually in the U.S., with significantly higher occurrence rates in women than in men.

MAVEN mission gives unprecedented view of Mars

New global images of Mars from NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission being led by ²ÊÃñ±¦µä show the ultraviolet glow from the Martian atmosphere in unprecedented detail, revealing dynamic, previously invisible behavior.

Center for Study and Prevention of Violence featured in PBS documentary

Black and Latino Coloradans are disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system, according to a new Rocky Mountain PBS documentary,Ìý. The documentary analyzes the impact of incarceration for minority populations through personal stories and research. Beverly Kingston, director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence (CSPV) at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä, contributed her research on social disorganization theory and appeared in the film.

MAVEN scientists observe ups and downs of water escape from Mars

After investigating the upper atmosphere of the Red Planet for a full Martian year, NASA’s MAVEN mission scientists, including several from the ²ÊÃñ±¦µä, have determined that the escaping water does not always go gently into space.

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MRI brain scan

An MRI image showing the multivariate brain pattern thatÌýpredicts fibromyalgiaÌýstatus on the basis of brain activation during multisensory stimulation. Image:ÌýCognitive and Affective Control Laboratory / ²ÊÃñ±¦µä.

Beverly Kingston

Beverly Kingston, director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of ViolenceÌýat ²ÊÃñ±¦µä, and her research appearÌýinÌýa new Rocky Mountain PBS documentary, .ÌýThe documentary analyzes the impact of incarceration for minority populations through personal stories and research.