I'm guessing it's the o2 sensors, so my question is... can someone send me some links on exactly the sensor(s) I need to clear these codes

 

P1278 and P1279 are both codes for the same O2 sensor that Nissan calls the "Air Fuel Ratio (A/F) Sensor #1".

This is the sensor for bank 1, the side of the engine next to the firewall.

Here is a link to the service manual. Go to page 555 for info on the P1278 code. Page 561 has a drawing to help you locate the sensor.

http://boredmder.com/FSMs/Nissan/Maxima/2005/EC.pdf