In the research, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids like docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic were studied to see how they affect colorectal cancer cells. The scientists wanted to see if these fatty acids could make the cancer cells undergo apoptosis, a process of self-destruction. In their experiment, they found that these fatty acids did indeed help trigger apoptosis in the colorectal cancer cells, which is good because it means the cancer cells are being killed off. This discovery suggests that these specific fatty acids might have the potential to be used as a way to combat colorectal cancer in the future.