MOSCOW, April, 25, 2007. All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) submits information concerning such questions as: which fields of scientific knowledge interest Russians the most; which discoveries and technical achievements have improved the world in XX century, and which spoiled it, by estimations of the interviewed; whether enough attention is paid to problems of science and technologies by mass-media.

The majority of Russians (68%) identify, that usually they are interested in new achievements in science and technologies (from 39% in group of ones with incomplete secondary education up to 70% in group of higher and incomplete higher education).

Generally, the most interesting fields of scientific knowledge among Russians are medicine (44% of respondents), technical achievements (34%), astronomy and space research (18%), psychology (18%), the Internet-technology (15%), economic sciences (13%), biology and biotechnology (12%). Medicine interests more respondents of senior age (33% of youth of 18-24 years and 49% of the age 45+), Internet-technologies interest mostly youth (34% of youth and 3% of senior respondents).

Among the scientific achievements which have improved the world in the XX century, respondents identify first of all the Internet (24%, although 3% identify its negative influence), an outer space exploration (20%), achievements in medicine (16%), telephone, mobile communication (14% positive, 1% negative), TV (7% positive, 1% negative). Negative changes of the century are connected with the discoveries in the field of atomic energy (4% positive, 23% negative) and war industry (2% positive, 6% negative). Disputable matter is the role of cars (3% positive, 1% negative).

The science and new technologies influence quality and lifetime of people more likely positively, as 55% of respondents identify (against 27%). Usually youth estimates the role of science more optimistically (69% of positive responses and 20% of negative ones in group of 18-24 year old respondents; 46% positive and 28% negative in group of 60+ year old respondents).

Among outstanding contemporary Russian scientists respondents identify first of all S.Korolyov (10%), Z.Alfyorov (8%), A.Saharov (6 %) and S.Fyodorov (3%). Two thirds of interviewed (67%) found difficult to identify at least one scientist.

Almost half of respondents (46%) think that mass-media pays enough attention to problems of science and technology. 38% of respondents say it does not pay enough attention; 5% think it pays too much attention to these issues. Mostly, respondents with higher and incomplete higher education complain about the lack of information (50%); and 28% of respondents with incomplete secondary education.

All-Russia opinion poll was conducted by VCIOM, April, 14-15, 2007. 1600 respondents were interviewed in 153 population centers of 46 regions of Russia. The statistical error does not exceed 3.4%.