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, 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
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
These millisecond bursts of radio energy come from cosmological distances, but their progenitors are uncertain, ranging from magnetars to exotic compact objects. Coordinated multi-wavelength observations and rapid follow-up networks could identify their sources.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
radio
bursts
nature
fast
remains
mysterious
these
millisecond
energy
come
science-space
resolved
whether
know
philosophy-ethics
don
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and stellar winds shape atmospheric escape and habitability, yet models remain approximate. Continuous monitoring and improved magnetohydrodynamic simulations can refine predictions.
science-space
global-unspecified
space
weather
effects
planetary
atmospheres
not
fully
quantified
solar
flares
know
climate-environment
continuous
understand
dark
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Moons like Europa and Enceladus may harbor oceans beneath ice, but we do not know their chemical gradients or energy sources. Cryobot and plume-sampling missions could test for conditions suitable for life.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
lack
precise
constraints
habitability
subsurface
ocean
worlds
moons
like
europa
know
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
don
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Objects in the distant solar system could reveal formation history and the presence of rogue planets, but only a few have been discovered. Wide-field deep surveys and improved orbit determination are needed.
climate-environment
global-unspecified
distribution
small
bodies
beyond
kuiper
belt
poorly
mapped
objects
distant
whether
know
philosophy-ethics
science-space
don
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Planets ejected from their systems may roam the galaxy unbound, affecting models of planet formation. Gravitational microlensing campaigns can constrain their population.
science-space
global-unspecified
planets
not
know
common
rogue
interstellar
space
ejected
systems
may
society-governance
models
exclusion
border
standards
procurement
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
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
Magnetic storms and particle fluxes shape space weather and radiation hazards but are hard to predict. Better in situ measurements and coupled simulations can improve forecasts.
science-space
global-unspecified
not
yet
have
complete
models
planetary
magnetosphere
solar
wind
interactions
whether
know
haven
mathematics-logic
philosophy-ethics
climate-environment
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Closed-loop ecological systems remain experimental and fragile, limiting long-duration missions and settlements. Iterative testing of regenerative life-support biomes is needed.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
life-support
long-term
human
survival
away
earth
lacks
proven
ecosystem
closed-loop
systems
society-governance
long
support
ensuring
science-space
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many asteroids and comets capable of regional or global damage remain undiscovered. Enhanced survey telescopes and radar characterization programs are required.
local-regional
global-unspecified
lack
detailed
census
potentially
hazardous
near-earth
objects
asteroids
comets
capable
development
sustainable
solutions
mathematics-logic
remain
whether
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Inflationary models explain early expansion but differ in predictions for primordial fluctuations and multiverse scenarios. Precision measurements of the cosmic microwave background and primordial gravitational waves could distinguish models.
economics-resources
global-unspecified
cosmic
fine
details
inflation
remain
speculative
models
primordial
inflationary
explain
science-space
know
climate-environment
have
society-governance
dark
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
Oscillation experiments show mixing but leave ordering and scale uncertain. Next-generation beta-decay and cosmological probes can answer these questions.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
mass
scale
neutrino
hierarchy
absolute
not
fully
resolved
oscillation
experiments
society-governance
without
know
science-space
whether
philosophy-ethics
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
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
