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Grains, sheep and soldiers: How one scientist is studying the physics of crowds

By Ari Daniel

Published October 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM EDT

Applied physicist Iker Zuriguel studies the movement of particles and people to optimize their flow and improve public safety.

Ari Daniel

Ari Daniel is a reporter for NPR's Science desk where he covers global health and development.

Stories From This Author

A stunning discovery in Mongolia changes what's known about domed-head dinosaurs

Ari Daniel

The pachycephalosaurs were a unique group of dinosaurs with domed heads. But scientists haven't known much about them because their fossils have been so incomplete. A stunning discovery from southern Mongolia has changed that.
This Nobel Peace Prize front-runner didn't win -- but did get the 'alternative Nobel'

Ari Daniel

The Sudan Emergency Response Rooms was considered a front-runner for the Nobel Peace Prize winner this year and last. Here's their story.
A MacArthur 'genius' gleans surprising lessons from ancient bones, shards and trash

Ari Daniel

Kristina Douglass wanted to find out the truth about how past communities adapted to environmental change. Her revelatory work has earned her a MacArthur award.