Repository of problems worth solving
World Solve is a public institutional repository for identifying real unresolved problems across science, society, health, governance, economics, and local systems. Each entry is intended to be citable, inspectable, and actionable.
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4194Total
4194Open
0Solved
9Humans
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even advanced AI systems can confidently state things that violate obvious physical logic, like objects falling upward or liquids not filling containers. This gap shows current AI still lacks a genuine model of how the physical world works.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
physical
build
models
reason
reliably
basic
common
sense
even
advanced
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
resolved
systems
know
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Astronomical observations demand extra unseen mass, but candidate particles from extensions of the Standard Model remain undetected. New detector designs, astrophysical surveys, and theoretical models are needed to pin down its nature.
science-space
global-unspecified
not
know
dark
matter
actually
astronomical
observations
demand
extra
unseen
fully
what
understand
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Big Bang models suggest equal amounts of matter and antimatter, yet the observable Universe is dominated by matter. Precision measurements of CP violation and new physics at high energies could explain the imbalance.
science-space
global-unspecified
matter
antimatter
universe
origin
asymmetry
unresolved
big
bang
models
suggest
know
dark
fully
understand
actually
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Observations show billion-solar-mass black holes early in cosmic history, which standard growth models struggle to explain. Improved surveys of high-redshift quasars and simulations of direct-collapse scenarios are needed.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
black
holes
not
fully
understand
supermassive
form
grow
observations
show
science-space
know
dark
matter
actually
what
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
We have detected a handful of mergers, but their cosmic history and diversity remain unclear. Next-generation detectors with wider frequency coverage can map the gravitational-wave background.
science-space
global-unspecified
gravitational-wave
cosmic
exact
rate
mechanisms
sources
time
unknown
have
detected
know
dark
remain
matter
lack
explain
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Grand unified theories predict proton decay, yet experiments have not observed it. Larger underground detectors and longer observation times are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
not
proton
know
ultimately
decays
grand
unified
theories
predict
decay
whether
matter
fully
dark
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays’ origins remain unclear, challenging acceleration models. Distributed detector arrays and multi-messenger astronomy could identify sources.
science-space
global-unspecified
cosmic
rays
lack
unified
explanation
high-energy
above
knee
ultra-high-energy
origins
know
remain
mechanisms
dark
matter
source
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Alternative theories predict deviations that current experiments are only beginning to probe. More sensitive tabletop experiments are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
lack
precise
experimental
tests
gravity
sub-millimeter
scales
experiments
alternative
theories
know
dark
matter
fully
understand
predict
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Simulations predict substructure that observations only partly confirm. Strong lensing and stellar stream measurements can probe these scales.
science-space
global-unspecified
characterizing
small-scale
structure
dark
matter
halos
remains
difficult
simulations
predict
lack
know
remain
models
actually
what
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The Fermi paradox highlights tension between estimated probabilities and the lack of detected signals. Systematic, wide-band SETI and technosignature searches are needed.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
not
know
common
technological
civilizations
galaxy
fermi
paradox
highlights
tension
science-space
whether
lack
dark
matter
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Timing and sources of reionization remain uncertain. 21cm experiments and high-z galaxy observations can map it.
science-space
global-unspecified
reionization
not
fully
understand
cosmic
history
timing
sources
remain
uncertain
know
matter
actually
dark
what
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
This relic of the Big Bang has not been directly detected. Novel detectors and cosmological analysis methods are needed.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
lack
precise
characterization
cosmic
neutrino
background
relic
big
bang
has
know
science-space
dark
actually
matter
not
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Indirect gravitational measurements confirm dark matter's existence, but direct detection experiments have failed to identify the constituent particle. Solving this is necessary to complete our fundamental model of physics.
science-space
global-unspecified
dark
matter
not
know
physical
identity
makes
cosmic
mass
indirect
fully
whether
philosophy-ethics
don
actually
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Dark energy accounts for roughly 68% of the universe, yet its equation of state and microscopic nature remain complete mysteries. Precise mapping of cosmic expansion over time is crucial for predicting the ultimate fate of space-time.
science-space
global-unspecified
expansion
universe
dark
energy
exact
cause
accelerating
unknown
accounts
roughly
know
understand
mathematics-logic
matter
fully
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Measurements of the cosmic microwave background yield a lower expansion rate than direct distance ladder measurements of modern galaxies. Resolving this discrepancy could reveal brand-new physics beyond the Standard Model.
science-space
global-unspecified
discrepancy
hubbel
tension
shows
critical
fast
universe
expanding
measurements
cosmic
know
dark
matter
actually
models
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Observations show massive black holes existing just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang, far too fast for standard accretion models. Direct collapse seed theories or primordial black hole physics need verification.
science-space
global-unspecified
black
primordial
holes
origin
supermassive
early
universe
unexplained
observations
show
know
matter
dark
actually
what
fully
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Matter inside neutron stars is crushed beyond atomic densities into unknown states like quark-gluon plasma. Multi-messenger astronomy combining X-ray observatories and gravitational wave detectors is needed to probe these conditions.
science-space
global-unspecified
matter
inside
neutron
not
fully
understand
physical
state
star
cores
know
dark
philosophy-ethics
whether
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Cosmic strings are theoretical linear defects in space-time that could explain early cosmic structure formation. Advanced gravitational lensing networks are required to detect their unique space-bending signatures.
science-space
global-unspecified
cosmic
strings
defects
have
direct
observational
images
primal
topological
theoretical
know
remain
explain
matter
dark
ray
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some medications carry a risk of gradual liver damage that often goes undetected until routine screening or symptoms reveal significant harm has already occurred. More sensitive, earlier detection methods remain an unmet need.
health-biology
global-unspecified
liver
damage
haven
solved
detect
early
caused
long-term
medication
becomes
philosophy-ethics
whether
way
determine
resolved
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
TMJ disorders can cause persistent jaw pain and dysfunction that current treatments, from mouthguards to surgery, don't reliably resolve for every patient. A more effective, universal treatment approach remains undeveloped.
health-biology
global-unspecified
don
effective
jaw
pain
disorders
have
way
treat
chronic
caused
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed