Letter from the Editor; The Edge of Physics; Special Editions; by John Rennie; 1 Page(s)

Anyone who understands science knows that it is often a messy, complex business that can't be conveniently packaged into neat "breakthroughs," despite what may appear in the daily headlines. Yet the striving of scientists to reach beyond the current limits of human learning is constant and unyielding, a persistent tap, tap, tapping away at the obscuring shield that lies at the edge of the unknown.

Physics, frequently called the most fundamental of sciences, quests vigorously to solve great puzzles at least as much as any other discipline. In recent years, researchers have made strides toward a Theory of Everything, one that could someday wrap together the classical physics inspired by Isaac Newton with the rules that govern events on quantum scales. Scientists have begun to forge a quantum theory of gravity, found ways to "beam" particles of light from one place to another, and even stopped light cold, the better to scrutinize its nature. They have learned that the laws of physics don't preclude an unusual form of energy--negative energy--that could be used in the construction of even more fantastic phenomena, such as shortcuts through space called wormholes and faster-than-light warp drives.