Student News Today — July 18, 2026

As we navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world, researchers are working tirelessly to shed light on the intricacies of human behavior, the natural world, and the universe at large. For instance, university students' growing familiarity with artificial intelligence is being measured and analyzed, as educators seek to understand how to best prepare the next generation for an AI-driven future. Meanwhile, studies on human behavior are also revealing unexpected correlations, such as the link between mass shootings and increased rates of fatal car crashes in the US.

Beyond the realm of human affairs, scientists are making groundbreaking discoveries that are rewriting our understanding of the natural world and the universe. Researchers have identified a class of meteorites that may have played a key role in the extinction of the dinosaurs, while a newly discovered reptile fossil in Brazil is providing insights into the common origins of dinosaurs and crocodiles. Additionally, new research on the composition of the sun is challenging previous estimates, revealing that it holds significantly more silver than previously thought. As we continue to explore and understand the world around us, effective communication and crisis preparedness are becoming increasingly important, highlighting the need for clear and timely messaging in the face of uncertainty.

Today's signal:
• Scale can measure university students' confidence in using AI (phys.org)
• Fatal car crashes in the US rise the day after a major mass shooting incident, finds new study (phys.org)
• Researchers identify class of 'oddball' meteorite that killed the dinosaurs (phys.org)
• Is that the time? Why messaging matters with crises on the horizon (phys.org)
• Reptile fossil found in Brazil helps shed light on the common origins of dinosaurs and crocodiles (phys.org)
• Sun holds 55% more silver than estimated, new model reveals (phys.org)