I also find practicing scales, but in intervals, helps.
So a G major scale, played with alternate intervals of five would be G, D, A, E, B, F#, C, G, D, A etc
For real string hopping, intervals of 6 is fun, so G, E, A, F#, B, G, C, A etc, although you'll need to start from somewhere on the E string really to get the most out of it. Descending it is a good mind bend too.
With quick descends don't rule out raking toward you across the strings with one picking finger. This is the opposite to alternating your fingers and is seen by some as cheating, but the simple fact is that it's good economy of movement in some situations
Si