The probes are able to be preserved during the reaction, and provide increased specificity as well. When a nucleic acid is added to the probe, an increased thermal stability and hybridization specificity occurs. Additionally, one is able to obtain greater accuracy in SNP detention, in vitro quantification, allele discrimination, or detection. Also, more sensitive and easier probe designs for difficult target sequences are able to be achieved. MBs also do not require the modification of the RNA and can be used in vivo or in cell-free extracts.