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
Millions of people experience debilitating, unpredictable migraines that current treatments only partially control, and the underlying biological triggers remain incompletely understood. More precise treatment based on individual causes remains out of reach.
mathematics-logic
global-unspecified
migraines
people
haven
solved
chronic
affect
some
far
severely
others
philosophy-ethics
whether
health-biology
resolved
determine
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Cartilage has very limited ability to heal itself, which is why joint damage from injury or arthritis often leads to chronic pain or eventual joint replacement. Better regeneration methods could delay or eliminate the need for many of these surgeries.
health-biology
global-unspecified
cartilage
reliably
regenerate
damaged
joints
surgery
joint
has
very
limited
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
way
pain
chronic
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
A large share of pregnancy loss has no clearly identifiable cause, leaving expecting parents without answers or ways to prevent it happening again. Understanding these unexplained cases remains a significant gap in reproductive medicine.
health-biology
global-unspecified
prevent
cases
cause
don
have
reliable
way
miscarriages
unknown
large
philosophy-ethics
whether
determine
resolved
agreed
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Many patients with endometriosis experience years of unexplained pain before receiving an accurate diagnosis, largely because it's difficult to detect without invasive procedures. Better, faster diagnostic tools remain a major unmet need.
health-biology
global-unspecified
endometriosis
years
haven
solved
well
enough
stop
taking
diagnose
patients
philosophy-ethics
whether
way
mathematics-logic
determine
prevent
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Bacteria evolve resistance faster than new antibiotics are being developed and approved, creating a widening treatment gap. Without new approaches, once-treatable infections could become far deadlier again.
health-biology
global-unspecified
new
infections
yet
stop
rise
antibiotic-resistant
drug
development
alone
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
resolved
papua
mathematics-logic
prevent
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Promises made to public workers decades ago about retirement benefits sometimes weren't matched with enough funding set aside to actually cover them. This leaves future governments facing financial strain that current officials often avoid addressing.
society-governance
global-unspecified
public
future
government
pension
systems
employees
countries
underfunded
relative
obligations
real
time
philosophy-ethics
whether
technology-computing
haven
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Rules about what political ads can say, who can run them, and how they must be disclosed vary enormously between countries and platforms. This inconsistency makes coordinated efforts to protect election integrity much harder.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
political
platforms
there
consistent
approach
regulating
advertising
social
media
society-governance
whether
philosophy-ethics
countries
african
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Some countries publish detailed defense budgets while others keep most military spending secret, making it hard to assess true security risks or hold leaders accountable for spending choices. Greater transparency remains politically resisted in many places.
society-governance
global-unspecified
spending
military
there
consistent
standard
transparent
governments
must
some
philosophy-ethics
whether
mathematics-logic
haven
public
resolved
determine
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
When leadership changes, new appointees sometimes cancel or redirect projects started by their predecessors, wasting resources and delaying outcomes citizens were promised. Building continuity across political transitions remains structurally difficult.
society-governance
global-unspecified
political
appointees
projects
continuity
frequently
change
government
direction
often
long-term
public
building
data
trust
real
philosophy-ethics
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
By the time bills are opened for public comment, the major provisions are frequently already settled behind closed doors, limiting how much public input can actually shape outcomes. Earlier, more meaningful participation remains rare in most legislative processes.
society-governance
global-unspecified
public
participation
already
drafting
new
laws
often
minimal
until
key
institutions
whether
consultation
philosophy-ethics
designing
local
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
As more countries and private companies launch satellites, questions about interference, debris responsibility, and orbital rights have no clear, universally accepted governance system. This gap grows more urgent as space becomes more crowded.
science-space
global-unspecified
satellites
orbital
there
shared
framework
governing
controls
infrastructure
countries
whether
philosophy-ethics
have
determine
don
resolved
society-governance
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Warring factions sometimes restrict aid access as a tactic, leaving civilians without food, medicine, or shelter even when help is nearby and available. International governance has struggled to guarantee safe humanitarian access consistently.
society-governance
global-unspecified
humanitarian
aid
delivery
conflict
zones
often
blocked
delayed
same
parties
access
african
lack
low
remains
limited
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Analysts sometimes identify a brewing conflict years in advance, but international bodies frequently lack the money or mandate to intervene before violence breaks out. This turns prevention into reaction after the fact.
social-civic-problems
global-unspecified
conflict
lack
institutions
meant
prevent
often
funding
needed
actually
society-governance
philosophy-ethics
whether
early
systems
african
health-biology
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Sanctions meant to pressure governments or individuals can be undermined by countries or companies willing to look the other way for financial benefit. Without stronger enforcement, sanctions can end up symbolic rather than effective.
society-governance
global-unspecified
sanctions
individuals
companies
international
inconsistently
enforced
letting
some
targeted
quietly
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
have
determine
way
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
One department might have strong protections while another, handling equally sensitive data, has outdated or minimal security. This inconsistency creates weak points that attackers can exploit even in otherwise well-defended governments.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
cybersecurity
even
standards
government
systems
vary
enormously
same
country
different
society-governance
whether
philosophy-ethics
data
public
resolved
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Government requests for user data from platforms vary wildly in scope and legal justification from country to country, creating confusion for both companies and citizens about what protections actually apply. A clearer international norm remains unbuilt.
technology-computing
global-unspecified
international
data
companies
there
consistent
standard
governments
request
tech
country
whether
society-governance
philosophy-ethics
resolved
determine
have
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
People who qualify for visas or residency under existing rules can still wait years due to processing backlogs and understaffed agencies. This delay affects not just applicants but the families and employers depending on them.
society-governance
global-unspecified
applicants
years
delay
immigration
systems
wealthy
countries
complex
enough
even
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
resolved
mathematics-logic
lack
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Once a law passes, fixing unforeseen negative consequences can take years of political negotiation, even when the harm is clear and widely acknowledged. Faster correction mechanisms remain rare in most legal systems.
society-governance
global-unspecified
systems
clear
harm
governance
have
fast
process
correcting
laws
turn
technology-computing
whether
philosophy-ethics
climate-environment
public
across
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Citizens can submit formal complaints or petitions to agencies without any guarantee of a response, let alone a timely one. This can make citizen engagement with government feel more symbolic than functional.
society-governance
global-unspecified
government
petitions
complaints
responses
public
often
have
guaranteed
timeline
outcome
whether
philosophy-ethics
haven
african
resolved
citizens
open
Global / Unspecified, Global
Zoning meetings and planning hearings are frequently held at inconvenient times with minimal outreach, meaning decisions affecting entire neighborhoods get made with only a handful of residents aware. Broader participation methods remain underused.
local-regional
global-unspecified
participation
planning
decisions
residents
public
city
often
limited
processes
don
society-governance
evidence
whether
philosophy-ethics
resolved
haven
