Summarizes Charles Wheatstone's 1843 paper introducing the Wheatstone bridge and the rheostat. (SL)

Reviews research and apparatus utilized in the study of the states and characteristics of materials at very high temperatures and pressures. Includes three examples of the research being conducted. (SL)

Describes developments in the field of ultrafast laser clock technology. (SL)

Although the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment was originally a hypothetical situation, John Bell was able to apply a version of their argument to an experiment that could actually be done. This experiment (called "Bell's Inequality") and a hypothetical experiment analogous to the one Bell proposed at the atomic level are described. (JN)

The appearance, cost, purposes, and principles involved in particle accelerators are presented. Included is a discussion of why particle accelerators are relevant and necessary. (DS)

Summarizes research done on the resting and action potential of nerve impulses, electrical excitation of nerve cells, electrical properties of Nitella, and temperature effects on action potential. (GS)

Discusses a number of possible explanations for the Christmas Star as described in the Bible. (SL)

Describes the characteristics and operational problems of optical waveguides, and concludes that the wide use of optical communications can be expected if difficulties in commercial production of components can be eliminated. (CC)

Following a short review of the history of cosmic-ray astrophysics and a discussion of the accumulated data, pointing to the need for isotope measurement, the theory of heavy-element nucleosynthesis is reviewed to provide a basis for the interpretation of the cosmic-ray data. (Author/JN)

Asks questions relating electrical resistivity and observed size effects. Electron mean free path and thermodynamic fluctuations are discussed. Experiments with granular aluminum are outlined and described which allow the study of size effects, as well as the coupling and the transport processes between them. (CS)

This article is a preview of the book, "Physics News in 1980." Five research areas are reviewed: high energy particle accelerators, fusion reactors, solar cells, astrophysics, and gauge theories. (Author/DS)