Scientific advances are made to gain knowledge regardless if said advances can lead to advances in technology.
The pursuit of scientific knowledge is not limited to the benefit of gaining information for technological purposes, it is made to gather facts and test theories which may help the human race understand and live better lives.
For example, scientific advances are made when the study of Mayan hieroglyphics resulted to the discovery of its correct interpretation which tells a story of how lives were lived in the ancient times. This discovery, though not relevant to any technological advances, is highly valuable to the Mayan people because they now know a part of their history.