From power grids to epidemics: Study shows how small patterns trigger systemic failures

Why do some systems collapse suddenly after what seems like a minor disturbance? A single transmission line failure can cascade into widespread blackouts. A delayed shipment can ripple through a global supply chain, emptying store shelves far from the original disruption. A rumor spreading in a small online network can spark nationwide panic. In nature, a slight environmental shift can throw an ecosystem into chaos, and a local disease outbreak can quickly escalate into an epidemic.