LONDON, November 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Are we alone in the universe? Can we save the lives of millions with new vaccines? How can we manage the increasing demands on our planet's resources? These questions and many of the other most challenging issues for the world today will be answered by the scientific advances described in the Royal Society's new report, Science sees further, launched today (30th November 2010) to celebrate its founding 350 years ago.

Outgoing President of the Royal Society, Martin Rees, said: "In 1660, when the Royal Society was founded, science was in its infancy. Our lives today differ from those of our ancestors largely because of the scientific advances made in the subsequent 350 years. There may well be 9 billion people on Earth by mid-century, each having rising expectations, and the consequent pressures on the environment will be hard to manage. However, the answer will lie in new science, and in better application of what we already know. Science is an unending quest for understanding: as old questions are settled, new ones come into sharper focus. There can be no better way to celebrate the Royal Society's 350th anniversary than to look to the future of science, built on the foundations of today's cutting-edge research."

Science sees further will describe how science will address some of the biggest issues the world currently faces, each one explored by an eminent scientist or scientists in the relevant field. The document will focus on twelve key areas of scientific endeavour, covering subjects such as health, the environment, technology and the universe. Issues that the document will address include:

    Are we alone in the universe?
    How can we stay young?
    How is the World Wide Web changing the world?
    How will stem cell technology revolutionise medicine?

Science sees further and associated interactive audio and video material can be found on a dedicated part of the Royal Society website at http://royalsociety.org/further.

Notes for Editors

The Royal Society is an independent academy promoting the natural and applied sciences. Founded in 1660, the Society has three roles, as the UK academy of science, as a learned Society, and as a funding agency. http://www.royalsociety.org

For more information and/or interview requests please contact:

Alice Henchley: alice.henchley@royalsociety.org

Andrew Swailes: andrew.swailes@royalsociety.org

SOURCE Royal Society(UK academy of science)

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