Transport properties Research update Comparative current measurement more accurate than ever before New design uses less liquid helium Read article: Comparative current measurement more accurate than ever before
Particles and interactions Research update Search for ‘unparticles’ focuses on Earth’s crust Evidence for a fifth force could lie beneath our feet Read article: Search for ‘unparticles’ focuses on Earth’s crust
Stars and solar physics Research update Searching for magnetic monopoles in polar rocks Method advantageous for a range of monopole masses and charges Read article: Searching for magnetic monopoles in polar rocks
Transport properties Research update Heat flows ‘backwards’ across Josephson junction Physicists confirm 1965 prediction of thermal effect Read article: Heat flows ‘backwards’ across Josephson junction
Telescopes and space missions News Our favourite pictures of 2012 From bio-engineered jellyfish and levitating drops to lunar landscapes Read article: Our favourite pictures of 2012
Magnetism and spin Research update Magnetic metamaterials could boost wireless energy transmission Transformation optics concentrates magnetic energy Read article: Magnetic metamaterials could boost wireless energy transmission
Telescopes and space missions Research update Earth’s magnetic shield behaves like a sieve Cluster-mission data analysis points to a "porous" magnetopause Read article: Earth’s magnetic shield behaves like a sieve
Transport properties Research update Graphene tunnel barrier makes its debut Spintronics could benefit from wonder material Read article: Graphene tunnel barrier makes its debut
Ultracold matter Research update Nitrogen vacancies detect magnetic fields in fluids Nanodiamonds controlled using optical tweezers Read article: Nitrogen vacancies detect magnetic fields in fluids
Ultrafast science Research update First room-temperature maser developed Prototype only works at pulsed mode Read article: First room-temperature maser developed
Optics & Photonics Briefing This issue explores lasers and detectors, solar power, medical imaging and high-resolution displays