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
The problem of school start times remaining too early continues to affect hundreds of millions of people and undermines progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Existing responses remain fragmented, under-resourced and poorly adapted to local contexts. A strong solution must operate effectively under severe constraints of skilled personnel, infrastructure, electricity and connectivity. It should define clear measurable outcomes, identify possible unintended harms, and demonstrate how the intervention can be sustained by local institutions long after initial funding ends.
school
start
times
remaining
too
other
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Even with extensive automated testing, software products regularly ship with bugs that only appear once real users start interacting with them in unpredictable ways. Comprehensive, fully reliable bug detection before release remains an unsolved engineering challenge.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
software
testing
bug
users
build
tools
catch
every
meaningful
product
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
haven
resolved
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Once a photo or video is edited or generated, there's often no reliable way to trace it back to prove whether the original was authentic. Building this verification into cameras and platforms from the start remains an unsolved industry challenge.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
way
don
have
widely
adopted
verify
authenticity
digital
photos
videos
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed
prevent
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Most software vulnerabilities trace back to common coding mistakes that better language design could prevent from the start. Despite decades of research, mainstream programming still makes these mistakes easy to make.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
programming
make
don
have
languages
writing
secure
bug-free
code
default
whether
philosophy-ethics
way
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Turbulence, magnetic fields, and feedback from young stars interact in complex ways to set stellar masses and rates. Multi-scale simulations and high-resolution observations with radio and infrared telescopes can help disentangle these effects.
science-space
global-unspecified
detailed
processes
drive
star
formation
molecular
clouds
remain
unclear
turbulence
interstellar
lack
dynamics
magnetic
fields
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Gas, dust, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays interact across scales, but many parameters are poorly measured. Multi-band surveys and simulation campaigns can connect small-scale physics with galactic evolution.
science-space
global-unspecified
detailed
composition
dynamics
interstellar
medium
remain
uncertain
gas
dust
magnetic
lack
know
cosmic
star
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Theory predicts metal-free stars that reionized the Universe, but no such stars have been observed. JWST-class telescopes and 21cm cosmology experiments could provide indirect signatures.
science-space
global-unspecified
stars
lack
direct
measurements
first
generation
population
iii
theory
predicts
whether
philosophy-ethics
mathematics-logic
know
don
have
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
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
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
Many countries lack timely, granular data on who is poor and why, leading to mistargeted interventions. Mobile and satellite-based poverty-mapping could improve program design.
science-space
global-unspecified
data
gaps
poverty
dynamics
hinder
effective
targeting
programs
countries
lack
technology-computing
society-governance
african
limited
incomplete
systems
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Complex registration and licensing processes deter innovation. One-stop digital portals can reduce friction.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
startups
struggle
regulatory
hurdles
red
tape
complex
registration
licensing
processes
africa
african
digital
access
society-governance
countries
Wheelchairs, hearing aids, and screen readers are often unaffordable or unavailable, restricting mobility and employment. Local manufacturing and inclusive design startups could expand access.
economics-resources
africa
access
assistive
technologies
people
disabilities
remains
extremely
limited
wheelchairs
global-unspecified
african
social-civic-problems
low
affordable
inclusive
whether
High-pressure startup environments with little support contribute to burnout and depression. Peer-support networks and confidential counseling services for founders could improve wellbeing.
climate-environment
africa
support
access
mental-health
entrepreneurs
limited
high-pressure
startup
environments
little
global-unspecified
african
remains
low
society-governance
economics-resources
lack
Diaspora members interested in supporting ventures back home struggle to find vetted opportunities. Curated diaspora investment platforms with transparent due diligence could mobilize capital.
economics-resources
africa
diaspora
investment
african
local
startups
constrained
information
trust
gaps
members
technology-computing
reducing
transfer
communities
global-unspecified
remains
Differing rules across countries make cross-border scaling costly and slow. Regional regulatory sandboxes and harmonized fintech guidelines could ease expansion.
local-regional
africa
fintech
regulatory
african
startups
face
complex
fragmented
regimes
differing
rules
countries
global-unspecified
remains
regional
society-governance
asia
Sparse populations and poor roads make rural delivery expensive, limiting e-commerce expansion beyond cities. Shared rural delivery hubs and route-optimization software could reduce costs.
technology-computing
africa
delivery
rural
costs
african
logistics
startups
face
high
last-mile
low-density
economics-resources
access
remains
public
urban
global-unspecified
Japan, South Korea, and China face rapidly rising elderly populations with too few caregivers and hospital beds. Robotics-assisted elder care and remote health monitoring startups are emerging solutions.
health-biology
asia
china
populations
aging
east
straining
healthcare
elder-care
systems
japan
south
solutions
society-governance
health
providing
care
global-unspecified
Urban private schools vastly outperform rural public schools in resources and outcomes, deepening long-term inequality. Digital learning platforms optimized for low-bandwidth rural connections could help level the field.
technology-computing
asia
rural-urban
disparities
school
quality
remain
stark
schools
rural
urban
access
social-civic-problems
remains
african
digital
global-unspecified
economics-resources
Entrepreneurs outside cities like Bangalore, Jakarta, or Singapore struggle to access venture capital networks. Regional angel-investor networks and remote due-diligence tools could spread funding more evenly.
local-regional
asia
singapore
funding
startup
remains
concentrated
few
major
asian
tech
hubs
leaving
global-unspecified
african
access
africa
urban