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
Turbulence controls transport and heating but remains mathematically challenging. Laboratory plasma experiments and numerical advances are needed.
science-space
global-unspecified
turbulence
not
fully
understand
astrophysical
plasmas
controls
transport
heating
but
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
haven
know
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Their equation of state depends on poorly constrained nuclear physics at extreme densities. Multi-messenger observations of mergers and precise timing can narrow possibilities.
science-space
global-unspecified
structure
neutron-star
interiors
uncertain
equation
state
depends
poorly
constrained
nuclear
remain
fully
cosmic
know
detailed
dynamics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
The information paradox and firewall hypotheses highlight tension between quantum mechanics and relativity. Advances in quantum information theory and holography may clarify.
science-space
global-unspecified
quantum
information
role
black-hole
physics
unresolved
paradox
firewall
hypotheses
highlight
technology-computing
whether
haven
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
infrastructure
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Microscopic laws are time-symmetric, yet macroscopic phenomena exhibit irreversibility. Deeper understanding of entropy and quantum measurement could help.
science-space
global-unspecified
nature
time
arrow
fundamental
physics
remains
debated
microscopic
laws
time-symmetric
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
resolved
yet
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
Running couplings suggest possible metastability of the vacuum. Improved measurements of Higgs and top masses refine stability assessments.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
not
know
whether
standard
model
stable
very
high
energies
running
philosophy-ethics
haven
resolved
possible
don
every
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Decoherence, error correction overhead, and materials issues limit current prototypes. New architectures and fault-tolerant schemes are needed.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
designing
practical
scalable
quantum
computers
remains
open
engineering
physics
decoherence
society-governance
climate-environment
high
institutions
democratic
speed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Existing tests focus on known-answer questions rather than open research tasks. Benchmarks that evaluate models on genuine research subtasks can guide development.
society-governance
global-unspecified
benchmarks
lack
robust
systems
performing
frontier
scientific
reasoning
research
existing
economics-resources
climate-environment
governance
technology-computing
ensuring
models
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Mechanisms behind superconductivity in cuprates and iron-based materials remain contested. Combined experimental and theoretical work is needed to unlock room-temperature materials.
science-space
global-unspecified
superconductivity
not
fully
understand
high-temperature
materials
mechanisms
behind
cuprates
iron-based
mathematics-logic
reuse
might
local
actors
economics-resources
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Magnetically confined plasmas exhibit instabilities and transport phenomena that limit performance. Better diagnostics and simulation tools can improve reactor design.
health-biology
global-unspecified
detailed
microphysics
fusion
plasma
burning
not
completely
characterized
magnetically
confined
african
transport
often
systems
design
africa
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Observed exoplanet diversity challenges simple core-accretion models. High-resolution imaging of disks and improved simulations are needed.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
models
disks
not
have
complete
planetary
formation
protoplanetary
observed
exoplanet
science-space
know
fully
whether
understand
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
These fields affect cosmic-ray propagation and structure formation but are hard to measure. Faraday rotation surveys and gamma-ray observations can constrain them.
science-space
global-unspecified
fields
lack
precise
maps
intergalactic
magnetic
these
affect
cosmic-ray
propagation
detailed
remain
interstellar
formation
star
cosmic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Complex organics exist in clouds, but pathways are unclear. Laboratory astrochemistry and radio observations can reveal reaction networks.
science-space
global-unspecified
detailed
chemistry
prebiotic
molecules
interstellar
space
incompletely
known
complex
organics
lack
mathematics-logic
know
formation
radio
whether
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
Engineering constraints and ethical questions hinder development. Research into autonomous systems and governance frameworks could move concepts forward.
society-governance
global-unspecified
self-replicating
robotic
probes
galactic
exploration
remain
theoretical
engineering
constraints
ethical
systems
governance
solutions
economics-resources
ensuring
frameworks
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Resonances and perturbations can destabilize orbits over billions of years. N-body simulations and long-term observation campaigns can test stability.
society-governance
global-unspecified
long-term
stability
multi-planet
exoplanet
systems
poorly
constrained
resonances
perturbations
destabilize
long
term
climate-environment
ensuring
mathematics-logic
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Dust growth, fragmentation, and migration shape planet formation but are complex. Combined observation and modeling efforts are needed.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
dust
lack
detailed
models
evolution
protoplanetary
disks
growth
fragmentation
migration
science-space
fully
climate-environment
formation
interstellar
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Galaxies stop forming stars due to feedback and environment, but mechanisms vary. Surveys across environments and redshifts can clarify.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
processes
governing
galaxy
quenching
not
fully
understood
galaxies
stop
forming
know
science-space
mathematics-logic
haven
whether
philosophy-ethics
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
