Aspects of the invention provide novel and surprisingly effective methods for the detection of nucleic acids, comprising nucleic acid amplification using base-modified deoxynucleoside 5′-triphosphates (dNTPs). Particular aspects relate to methods for enhancing hybridization properties of oligonucleotide primers and probes in assays detecting nucleic acids, comprise amplifying target DNAs in presence of base-modified duplex-stabilizing deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates to provide for modified target DNAs, and thereby considerably improving performance of the detection assays. The disclosed methods allow for increasing of the reaction temperature in PCR-based detection systems or, alternatively, reducing the length of the oligonucleotide primers and probes. Certain aspects relates to improvement of real time PCR assays, wherein nucleic acids of interest are detected as the reaction proceeds using fluorescent agents or oligonucleotide FRET probes.