The finding was that certain wheather patterns can be modelled better than before by using a quantum physics equation. I think this is the wrong way of looking

The finding was that certain wheather patterns can be modelled better than before by using a quantum physics equation. I think this is the wrong way of looking at this, quantum physics does not really have anything to do with this. Both systems, the oceans and topological insulators, share some of their structure and dynamics which means that the same mathematical models can be used to describe some aspects of both systems. Large groups of people or animals can, to a certain extend, be described with fluid dynamics equations as they have some common structure, i.e. being composed of many particles interacting with each other locally. But the link is not from fluids to groups of people or the other way around, the link is a similar structure underlying both systems which makes mathematical models transferable between the two.