grains

In the new study, the researchers carefully inserted 1,200 pieces of fishing line -- one at a time -- through a thin, vertical slice of material with four pores that represent spherical grains of gravel.

Similar transitions occur in many biological processes, including the development of an embryo: cells are "squishy" biological "grains" that form solid tissues and sometimes flow to form different organs.

Arid nations in the Middle East and North Africa are currently the world’s most import dependent, with 11 of the 16 nations importing most of their staple grains.

Those are the kind of fibers found in e.g. wheat bran, vegetables, and whole grains.

The team's findings showed a unique property: The grains start to spread out slowly, then decrease quickly as they move downstream, akin to rock avalanches.