This is not new, at least for biological networks. For example, see this paper by Lima-Mendez and van Helden: The powerful law of the power law and other myths

This is not new, at least for biological networks. For example, see this paper by Lima-Mendez and van Helden: The powerful law of the power law and other myths in network biology: http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2009/MB/b908681a#!divAbstract http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2009/MB/b90868... and several blog posts by Lior Pachter: https://liorpachter.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-network-nonsense-of-albert-laszlo-barabasi/ https://liorpachter.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/the-network-non...