Breakdown of Несмотря на то, что обсуждаемая проблема старая, общество изучает её.
старый
old
изучать
to study
проблема
problem
её
her (acc)
Questions & Answers about Несмотря на то, что обсуждаемая проблема старая, общество изучает её.
How is the participle обсуждаемая formed here?
It is a present passive participle formed from the imperfective verb обсуждать (to discuss). You take the first-person plural ("we") form, обсуждаем, and add an adjective ending. Since it modifies проблема (a feminine noun in the nominative case), it takes the feminine nominative ending -ая.
Why use a present participle (обсуждаемая) when the English translation just says "the discussed problem"?
In English, we often use a past participle ("discussed") even for things happening right now. In Russian, because the problem is currently being discussed, you must use the present passive participle. A more literal translation would be "the problem being discussed."
What is the literal meaning of the phrase несмотря на то, что?
It literally translates to "not looking at that, that..." but it is the standard B1-level phrase for "despite the fact that" or "even though." The word несмотря comes from the verb смотреть (to look). Just remember to always place a comma before что.
Why does the sentence end with её?
Её is the accusative case form of она (she/it). It acts as the direct object of the verb изучает (is studying). It must be feminine because it refers back to проблема, which is a feminine noun.