The Nauka TV channel and the Institute of Modern Media (MOMRI) have learned from the Russians in which areas mankind needs scientific inventions and discoveries most of all and what they personally expect from modern science.
It turned out that the absolute majority of Russians - residents of large cities - have any expectations from science: 86% expect discoveries, new inventions, innovations in various fields, and 40% of respondents have a specific dream - what they personally expect from scientists …
The most important thing is health. Two-thirds of the respondents, regardless of age, believe that most of all at present humanity needs achievements in medicine, biology, and pharmaceuticals. Moreover, women are much more likely to talk about the need for progress in medicine - 73% compared to 56% of men. Women also count on science in matters of psychology and parenting.
Much more men than women are concerned about progress in IT, nanotechnology, space and aviation, the exact sciences, and mechanical engineering.
Medicine, biology, psychology
From medicine, Russians expect, first of all, a breakthrough in the treatment of complex diseases and prolongation of life: the invention of new drugs, vaccines against viruses and infections, methods of fighting cancer, HIV, methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, strokes and heart attacks, and the fight against aging.
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In the first place - more than a third of all answers about expectations from medicine - the fight against cancer. One in five expects from medicine as a whole progress in the field of pharmaceuticals, the invention of more effective medicines for the treatment of diseases, including those that are currently considered incurable. Every tenth considers it necessary to discover that would help prolong human life, improve the quality of life in old age. Quite a few answers relate to genetics, as well as the use of robots in medicine and innovative materials.
About medicine and pharmacology:
"Waiting for a cure for cancer", "Fighting cancer", "New ways to completely cure cancer"
"Effective qualitatively new drugs", "Waiting for pills for all diseases", "Pills for heart attacks and strokes", "Medicine for diabetes"
"Vaccination against aging", "Ways to prolong life", "So that calcium is not washed out in the elderly"
"Ability to remove diseased genes", "Genetic Engineering"
"Treatment of diseases with the help of robots", "Microrobots that restore tissues in the body", "Nanotablets", "Smart prostheses", "Invention of nanoskin"
In addition to breakthroughs in medicine, they hope for science in matters of psychology - this is especially important for women. The respondents expect discoveries from science that will help in raising children and youth, adapting a person in the information world, and making social life more harmonious.
About psychology:
"Raising children in the context of developing technologies and large flows of information", "Ways to educate patriots", "Children are abandoned to have contact with children"
“To have fewer nervous breakdowns, so that people are balanced and calm”, “Science needs to find spiritual bonds for society”
Technology, mechanical engineering, IT
The expectations of Russians regarding progress in technology are quite general: they are waiting for the invention of new materials, new types of energy, and progress in technology, electronics and technology in general. Quite a lot of answers concern alternative energy sources.
In the field of IT technologies, Russians expect the growth of computerization, the invention of more advanced computers and electronic devices, the development of communication technologies, and ways of storing information. Discoveries in the field of information technology are especially important for young people, respondents under the age of 30 more often called them priority tasks of science. An important issue is computer security - in this area, the invention of new mechanisms for data protection, encryption, and protection against viruses is expected.
The townsfolk also associate scientific progress with the possibility of a qualitative improvement in mobile communications and the Internet in the future.
There are a lot of expectations regarding the development of artificial intelligence, as well as the introduction of robotics into various spheres of life.
For men, one of the priorities is the development of science in the automotive industry and technology. Here, in the first place - the improvement of cars, as well as new ways of transportation. Almost 10% of all answers in this area are about ecology, development and distribution of environmentally friendly engines, electric vehicles. Quite a lot of car enthusiasts expect science to create innovative, improved, better quality fuel.
For many respondents, the main expectation in the automotive industry is the development of the domestic auto industry, the improvement of Russian cars.
About technology and transport:
"Alternative Energy", "Natural Resources Substitutes", "Oil Substitution"
"Opportunities for faster data transfer without wires", "More advanced computers, gadgets", "Increase memory", "Increase the speed of computers"
"Machines with artificial intelligence", "Neural networks", "For robots to replace human labor"
"Flying Cars", "Drones, Cars on Autopilot, Teleportation", "Perpetual Motion Machine", "Improving Vehicle Safety"
"Eco-friendly cars", "Electric motors are environmentally friendly", "To come up with cars that rode on the water, not gasoline", "Alternative fuel"
"For our cars to be appreciated and in demand", "For our Russian car industry to drive normally and not break down"
Space and aviation
Every fifth resident of large cities expects breakthroughs in space exploration from science. Most of all, Russians are waiting for a flight to new planets and their development, establishing contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.
Another area of concern for Russians in the field of aviation and space is the development of aircraft, the improvement of aircraft, rockets, satellites, as well as the invention of qualitatively new engines and structures. Quite a lot of answers concern the safety of passenger air transportation.
About space:
“We must look for a new planet to live in”, “Look for new planets where there should be civilization”, “Exploration of neighboring planets, the possibility of colonization”, “Exploration of black holes and exoplanets”, “We need a Russian station on the Moon”, “Discovery of new planets with useful fossils"
"Invention of new types of engine, movement", "Hypersonic aircraft", "Nuclear and power engines", "Reliable new materials for the skin of ships", "New wing model allowing to make economical flights", "New types of engines to explore planets more comfortably"
"More affordable space flight", "Space tourism"
"Safe planes", "Fly without disasters"
Exact sciences and economics
From mathematics, physics, chemistry, respondents expect both the further development of various theories, the discovery of new laws and phenomena, and applied developments that will make people's lives better.
From the economy, ordinary people expect discoveries that will help people and society improve their well-being, and Russia and the world as a whole - to get out of the crisis.
About exact sciences and economics:
"Continue to study quantum mechanics and physics", "Study the essence of matter to the end", "Discover new chemical elements"
"Software for new computers", "Discoveries in chemistry to unload the planet from garbage"
"We need a more equitable distribution of benefits in society", "Discoveries for the economic stability of the life of every citizen", "Scientific methods of fighting corruption", "Prevention of crisis situations in the country"
The survey was conducted by the Modern Media Institute (MOMRI) from December 16 to December 20, 2016. The total number of respondents - 1610 people aged 18+, living in cities with a population of 100 thousand people or more. The survey method is a telephone interview with a random sample. The statistical error does not exceed 2.5%.
